Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Secure and Trusted Digital Ecosystem at U.S.-Led Workshop

As part of efforts to strengthen international collaboration on data governance, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General of Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), delivered a keynote address at the Nigeria Data Privacy Capacity Building Workshop, organized by the U.S. Department of State in Abuja.

In his remarks, Inuwa reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to building a trusted, secure, and inclusive digital ecosystem, aligning with President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s national priority of strengthening security for peace and prosperity. He highlighted the growing partnership between Nigeria and the United States, citing engagements from the 2024 Binational Commission, jointly hosted AI conferences, and ongoing collaboration with U.S. cybersecurity companies aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s technical and digital capacity.

Inuwa emphasized that AI relies on data, data requires privacy, and privacy depends on strong security, underscoring the interconnected nature of these elements for building trust in the digital economy. Strengthening trust, he noted, accelerates innovation and reduces costs, laying the foundation for economic prosperity.

Looking forward, the NITDA DG announced plans to elevate Nigeria’s National Cybersecurity Conference into an international platform this year, with active participation from the U.S. Mission and global tech firms. The initiative aims to explore new partnerships and enhance capacity for Nigeria’s digital self-determination, positioning the country and Africa as a frontier for global digital innovation.

Inuwa concluded by expressing optimism for deeper collaboration in cybersecurity, AI, and data protection, emphasizing NITDA’s role in creating policies and an enabling environment for digital innovation.