By Stanley Iwuoha
The Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, say Nigeria needs robust policies and collaborations to align technological innovations with Nigeria’s cultural heritage and developmental goals.
He emphasised the significance of perceiving technology as a neutral instrument that can accelerate Nigeria’s socio-economic advancement.
Speaking during a virtual panel session titled “Culture and Innovation: The Changing Landscape and Technoculture,” Inuwa outlined the importance of leveraging technology to balance cultural preservation with economic growth.
The event, organised by the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy in partnership with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and UNESCO, provided a platform for stakeholders to explore the dynamic role of technology in shaping cultural and economic transformations.
Inuwa who was represented by the Acting Director, Regulation and Compliance, Barrister Emmanuel Edet, stressed that technology is inherently neutral, it is neither beneficial nor harmful in isolation but depends on the intent and strategy behind its usage.
He advocated for implementing robust policies and fostering collaborations to ensure technological innovations align with Nigeria’s cultural heritage and developmental goals.
As global cultures and economies are increasingly influenced by digital innovation, Inuwa pointed to creative tools such as Figma, Canva, and CorelDRAW, which incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance user experiences.
He underlined the need to equip Nigerians with digital skills to utilise these tools effectively for economic progress.
He emphasized technology’s role in Nigeria’s socio-economic development, citing its neutral nature and highlighted NITDA’s initiatives, including digital learning centers and the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy.
“To this end, NITDA has established digital learning centers nationwide, providing education in Emerging Technologies. The National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) is also playing a pivotal role by offering training programs and creating tech hubs aimed at improving productivity and skill acquisition,” he said.
The NIITDA boss, further unveiled Nigeria’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, a framework designed to position the nation as a frontrunner in AI adoption.
This strategy focuses on intellectual property rights and prioritises efficiency and transformation across critical sectors, especially through its emphasis on social inclusion and development.According to him, NITDA’s commitment to digital security and intellectual property protection has also resulted in the launch of a National Blockchain Policy.
This initiative supports creative industries by enabling artists, musicians, and filmmakers to tokenise their works, ensuring proof of ownership and curbing copyright violations.“Technology is a tool it all depends on how we use it,” Inuwa remarked. “Our objective is to create an environment that allows technology to contribute to Nigeria’s economy. “
