At the launch of GITEX Nigeria, Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, set the stage with a bold claim: Nigeria’s strongest advantage in the digital age lies not in money or infrastructure but in resilience.
“In other places, they use capital infrastructure to fuel innovation,” he declared.
“Here, we use our resilience.”
For Inuwa, resilience drives the Nigerian story.
Time and again, Nigerians invent, adapt, and thrive whenever necessity demands it.
Innovation From Necessity
He highlighted the government’s 2012 cashless policy as a decisive turning point.
The directive forced banks to digitalise their systems, and immediately, local startups stepped in.
They created fintech solutions that closed the gaps and reshaped the financial sector.
“This didn’t happen by accident,” he stressed.
“We designed it through intentional policy – and because we had no other choice, we created solutions.”
Consequently, Nigerian entrepreneurs now lead Africa’s startup scene.
Inuwa proudly stated, “Five of Africa’s unicorns come from Nigeria.”
By seizing opportunities, Nigerians consistently prove they can compete with the best globally.
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Beyond Fintech
Lagos already powers Africa’s tech ecosystem, producing a steady stream of billion-dollar companies.
However, Inuwa argued that the story does not stop with fintech.
“Fintech has tested our resilience, but our opportunities stretch much further,” he explained.
Agriculture, healthcare, and security now stand open for disruption, and Nigeria’s youthful population fuels that drive.
Call To Investors
With growing confidence, Inuwa directly challenged global investors to act: join Nigeria’s digital revolution or miss a defining moment.
“We will build this future with or without you,” he declared.
“But it’s better to build it with you.”
Thus, he underlined Nigeria’s resolve.
The country will not wait for permission to innovate; instead, it will push forward.
At the same time, he invited partners to share the journey: “Come with us, invest in Nigeria, and let’s build the future together.”
