The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has stepped up efforts to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation, forging stronger collaboration with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies to unlock opportunities in the fast-growing Orange Economy.
The renewed partnership came to the fore as NITDA hosted the Director General of NIPSS, Ayo Omotayo, alongside participants of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 48, 2026, for high-level engagements on innovation-driven growth.
Representing the NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, the Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, Aristotle Onumo, said the Agency is intensifying efforts to build a thriving digital ecosystem anchored on collaboration.
“NITDA is committed to creating an enabling environment where innovation can thrive by bringing together government, private sector, academia, and creatives to drive Nigeria’s digital economy,” he stated.
Inuwa spotlighted the rising importance of the Orange Economy, describing it as a major engine of growth powered by intellectual property and creativity. He identified digital content creation, film, animation, and digital art as key sectors with strong economic potential.
“The Orange Economy represents a powerful opportunity to transform our rich cultural heritage and creativity into sustainable economic growth,” he noted.
He stressed that Nigeria’s youthful and creative population gives it a strategic edge, but warned that only deeper collaboration and sustained investment can unlock its full value.
“With our youthful population and rich cultural assets, Nigeria is well-positioned to become a global leader in the Orange Economy if we deepen collaboration and investment across the ecosystem,” he added.
During the session, NITDA outlined key initiatives designed to support both the digital and creative sectors, including infrastructure expansion, digital literacy programmes, and policies that enable startups and innovators to scale.
However, the Agency acknowledged persistent challenges such as limited funding access, infrastructure gaps, weak intellectual property protection, and fragmentation within the ecosystem.
“Addressing challenges such as funding gaps, infrastructure deficits, and intellectual property protection is critical to unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s creative economy,” Inuwa said.
NITDA also reaffirmed its target of achieving 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027, noting that ongoing programmes are equipping millions of Nigerians—including those in underserved and informal sectors—with essential digital skills.
In his remarks, Omotayo described the engagement as timely, noting that it offers critical insights into how digital technologies are reshaping economic sectors, particularly the creative industry.
He said the knowledge gained would feed into policy recommendations aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s economic framework.
Participants of SEC 48 actively engaged NITDA officials, raising issues around capacity development, access to digital tools, and frameworks for protecting creative content. In response, the Agency highlighted ongoing collaborations with industry players to expand training, innovation hubs, and access to technology for young Nigerians.
The meeting ended with both NITDA and NIPSS reaffirming their commitment to deeper collaboration in research, policy development, and capacity building—moves seen as critical to positioning Nigeria as a competitive force in the global digital and creative economy.