The Federal Government of Nigeria has secured $17.5 million to drive research funding in six emerging technologies.
The announcement was made by Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), during a media parley held in Abuja.
Abdullahi stated the establishment of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for emerging technologies, which will consolidate efforts and accelerate Nigeria’s digitization endeavors across key technological areas. With a strategic roadmap spanning from 2024 to 2027, NITDA aims to establish six emerging technology centers of excellence within universities by 2025, positioning Nigeria as a beacon of research and development in Africa and beyond.
“Investing in technology research equips Nigeria with tools to lead the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” Abdullahi stated. He outlined strategic focus areas including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Internet Of Things (IoT), Robotics, Blockchain, and Additive Manufacturing, with the goal of positioning Nigeria among the top 25 percent of nations globally in these fields.
Abdullahi also hghlighted the importance of technology in national development, stating efforts to leverage technology for strengthening national security, boosting agriculture, improving productivity, and enhancing the healthcare system.
Recognizing the pivotal role of education in fostering digital literacy, NITDA is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Education to revamp the education curriculum from nursery to tertiary levels. This initiative aims to embed digital literacy within formal education, ensuring that Nigerians acquire essential digital skills before graduation. Additionally, NITDA is conceptualizing initiatives such as the Digital Literacy for All project to promote access to quality digital content for all Nigerians.
NITDA has spearheaded efforts to transition to a paperless environment and has provided digital training to 120 public institutions, aiming to deepen digital penetration across the country.
Abdullahi emphasized Nigeria’s potential to surpass India in the global technology ecosystem if it continues on the trajectory of positioning itself as a global leader in emerging technologies.
