The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) have renewed their call for stronger collaboration among key industry players to fast-track Nigeria’s digital transformation. This call resonated as the central message at the 2025 Principal IT Stakeholders Forum held in Abuja
By Chimezie Godfrey
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) have renewed their call for stronger collaboration among key industry players to fast-track Nigeria’s digital transformation. This call resonated as the central message at the 2025 Principal IT Stakeholders Forum held in Abuja.
Speaking at the forum, the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, represented by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director of Stakeholders Management and Partnerships, emphasised that Nigeria’s digital progress requires synergy across all fronts.
“Building a digitally powered nation is not a solitary task. It demands partnerships, shared vision, and mutual trust,” he said. “At NITDA, we believe collaboration is the key to unlocking Nigeria’s digital future.”
Inuwa explained that the agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) 2024–2027 is anchored on collaboration, innovation, and inclusion. He noted that the roadmap focuses on enhancing digital literacy and talent development, fostering a strong technology research ecosystem, and fortifying cybersecurity and digital trust.
He called on IT professionals, policymakers, and the private sector to rally behind NITDA’s digital literacy drive, stressing that “no one should be left behind in the digital economy we are building.”
The event, jointly organised by NITDA and the NCS Abuja Chapter, provided a platform for policy dialogue and knowledge sharing among industry leaders, regulators, and innovators.
Chairman of the NCS Abuja Chapter, John Odumesi, said the forum’s theme — “Aligning Perspectives, Building Synergies: Forging a Unified IT Ecosystem for National Growth” — reflected the urgent need for strategic cooperation across the sector.
“This gathering is not just for talk. It’s for co-creation — to engage, to debate, and to design practical solutions for Nigeria’s digital advancement,” Odumesi stated. “If we continue working in isolation, we will miss the opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
Delivering the keynote address, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, Fellow of the Nigeria Computer Society and former Federal Permanent Secretary, commended NITDA and NCS for driving dialogue at a critical time in Nigeria’s digital evolution.
“Progress in the IT space cannot be achieved in silos,” she said. “We must complement one another rather than compete if we are to realise our national aspirations. Collaboration must replace rivalry.”
Odusote, who offered a historical reflection on Nigeria’s IT journey, urged younger professionals to view the digital economy not merely as a career path but as a national service. “We must build an ecosystem that reflects shared purpose and integrity,” she added.
The forum ended with a unified message — that Nigeria’s digital economy will only thrive through shared responsibility, institutional cooperation, and sustained investment in people and innovation.
A communiqué issued at the close of the event reaffirmed the commitment of all stakeholders to “build bridges across sectors and ensure policy alignment to foster a robust and inclusive digital future for Nigeria.”