The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) says it is committed to strengthening the Nigeria-US partnership on data privacy, Artificial Intelligence, capacity building and cyber security.
Director General of NITDA, Malam Kashifu Inuwa, stated this at the Nigeria Data Privacy Capacity Building Workshop organized by the US State Department in Abuja on Wednesday.
The workshop was organized in collaboration with the Nigerian Mission and relevant stakeholders in the digital ecosystem.
Inuva recognized the existence of the partnership, saying it is part of a growing and deliberate effort by both countries to address emerging digital challenges and opportunities.
In April 2024, Nigeria and the United States, through the US-Nigeria Binational Commission, agreed to work together on key areas such as data privacy, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, capacity building, and other aspects of digital development.
“The same year, we saw the successful hosting of an artificial intelligence conference co-organized by the Nigerian government and the US Mission in Nigeria.
“Our emphasis on data privacy, AI, cybersecurity and policy is based on a central objective which is building trust in the digital ecosystem.
“Trust is a critical enabler of digital transformation, as its absence slows innovation and increases costs, while its presence accelerates progress and reduces barriers to development,” he said.
The Director General also said that building a prosperous digital economy requires deliberate efforts to protect data privacy, strengthen security frameworks and deploy AI responsibly.
He said AI is data dependent and demands data privacy, while privacy can only be guaranteed through strong security, hence the issues need to be addressed collectively.
Inuwa described the workshop as the beginning of broader engagement and deeper cooperation in other strategic areas, especially the global digital economy.
He said that following the US mission's participation in the National Cyber Security Conference in 2026, plans are underway to expand the conference into an international cyber security forum this year.
According to him, the international conference will provide an opportunity for US cyber security companies to showcase their technologies, explore partnerships with Nigerian firms developing local cyber solutions, and jointly strengthen Nigeria’s cyber security ecosystem.
He assured the partners and stakeholders of NITDA's commitment to formulating the right policies and creating an enabling environment for innovation to flourish.
Inuwa said Nigeria, along with Africa, represents the next frontier of the digital economy, driven by a young, digital-native population with a huge expanding market.
He said the country has significant local talent capable of developing home-grown solutions to address national and regional challenges.
“We are committed to working with international partners to build local capacity and promote digital self-determination.
“Digital technology is no longer optional, as it represents the future of economic growth and development, and no country can afford to lag behind.
“The only way to harness the opportunities of the current AI revolution is to protect privacy, establish solid policies, and lay a strong digital foundation capable of supporting rapid technological progress,” he said.
