By Emmanuella Oghenetega
The Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, has asserted that Nigeria is ready to lead the future economy, while emphasing that the strength of the country lies in its resilience and innovation.
The DG noted that with deliberate policy and a thriving tech ecosystem, Nigeria is poised to deliver solutions across agriculture, healthcare, and security.
Making this statement at GITEX in lagos, Inuwa described it as more than a conference, stating “it is a bold declaration that Nigeria is ready to lead in the future economy.”
“For too long, the future economy has felt like science fiction. We talked about it as a distant, abstract concept. From the Kodak moment to the Uber moment, we were always at the receiving end. But today, right here in Lagos, that future is a tangible reality,” he maintained
He traced the journey back to Nigeria’s cashless policy introduced over a decade ago, which catalysed digital transformation in the banking sector and opened doors for fintech innovation. “That policy didn’t just digitalise banking, it created gaps that startups filled with solutions. Today, Lagos is not just Nigeria’s commercial hub; it is the capital of Africa’s tech ecosystem. It’s a factory of Unicorns.”
He said, “Of the eight or nine unicorns in Africa, five originated from Nigeria. This feat could be attributed to deliberate government policy and the indomitable spirit of Nigerian innovators. We don’t build with infrastructure, we build with resilience because we have no other option.”
The DG further highlighted that Nigeria’s potential extends far beyond fintech. “We’ve seen how Angela proved to the world that talent is evenly distributed, but opportunities are not. With the right opportunities, Nigeria can compete with any city or nation globally. We are ready to build solutions in agriculture, healthcare, security, and culture—solutions that will drive 10x productivity and efficiency,” he maintained.
The Executive Vice President of Dubai World Trade Centre and Chief Executive Officer of KAOUN, Ms. Trixie LohMirmand, hailed Nigeria as a global beacon of innovation, resilience, and entrepreneurial grit that scales not through capital, but through necessity-driven ingenuity.
She remarked that Nigeria does not follow the same rules as Silicon Valley or other developed economies. She opined that, “While other economies innovate because they want to, here, startups innovate because they must. It is survival. And that is why they scale faster and endure longer.”
According to her, the event which marked Nigeria’s debut as host of the global tech showcase drew over 650 startups, 200 investors, and participants from more than 40 countries noting it was a historic moment for the country’s digital economy, and a testament to the growing influence of Lagos as a tech epicenter.
LohMirmand emphasised that Lagos is not just a city it is a “mega high-speed test bed” for technology.” “If your product survives Lagos, it can thrive anywhere in the world,” she said, underscoring the city’s unique position as a proving ground for global tech solutions.
She also praised the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) for its unwavering support in bringing GITEX to Nigeria. “From day one, NITDA has been a staunch partner. Their commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and building infrastructure is not just institutional—it’s inspirational.”
She urged the start ups not to feel discouraged if the event does not attract investors to them “This is not a sprint, it is a marathon. Many startups won’t walk away with funding today. But they will walk away with something more valuable such as insight, connection, and the understanding of what it takes to build for the world.
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has stated the state has attracted over $6 billion in direct foreign investment into its tech startup sector between 2019 and 2024. Which according to him, is a milestone that cements Nigeria’s position as Africa’s leading innovation hub and signals a new era of opportunity for global investors.
The Governor stated, that Lagos’ transformation is no longer aspirational, it is a living reality. With hyperscale data centres, submarine cables, and a city-wide fibre connectivity grid, Lagos and in extension Nigeria is undergoing a digital revolution.
While maintaining that Lagos State has emerged as one of the world’s most vibrant tech ecosystems, he emphasised that Lagos now accounts for over 70% of Nigeria’s total tech inflows, and more than 70% of Africa’s unicorns have passed through the city. “We’re not just an economic powerhouse, we are Africa’s innovation capital,” he said.
He credited visionary leadership and long-term planning for this transformation, referencing the early adoption of Oracle database systems in Lagos two decades ago—an initiative led by then-Governor and current Presisdent of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “That foundation is still powering our systems today,” he noted.
The Governor spotlighted the Blue Line rail system, which marks its two-year anniversary this week. With over five million passengers served and zero downtime, the electric rail system is powered by the Cowry Card—a unified payment solution designed by young Lagosians aged 27 to 28.
“This card works across rail, waterways, buses, and taxis,” he said. “It’s a single settlement system, built by our youth, and it’s working beautifully.”
Sanwo-Olu stated that at the heart of Lagos’ transformation is a belief that governance must be digital, inclusive, and data-driven. Through the Lagos Digital Service Platform, citizens now access healthcare, transportation, and civic services with a single click.
He said, “We are building a government where policy decisions respond to real-time insights, a government where no Lagosian is left behind.”
While calling for collaboration among partners, the Governor reiterated that GITEX Nigeria has drawn global tech giants like Cisco, IBM, and MTN alongside African startups, creating a space for cross-border collaboration, adding that, “The future economy should not be dictated by geography,” it must be co-created through partnerships.”
He said “To support emerging talent, Lagos has maintained a Science and Research Fund for over six years, offering seed grants of ₦50–₦80 million to promising startups. Some of these startups have gone on to design the very exhibition spaces we’re standing in today.”
He acknowledged that not every startup will become a Flutterwave or an Andela, but emphasised the importance of encouragement and opportunity. “If you can dream it, you can build it, and you have a government that will support you.”
Earlier, in his remarks Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, unveiled a bold vision for a digitally connected Nigeria. He noted that the ICT sector has grown from less than 5% to over 16% of GDP, with projections to reach 21% by 2027.
He said Nigeria is fast becoming one of the world’s most promising investment destinations in digital innovation and creative enterprise.
Dr. Tijani highlighted that Nigeria’s transformation into Africa’s largest telecommunications market is not just by subscriber numbers, but by foreign direct investment and Gross Domestic Product’s contribution. “The ICT sector has grown from less than 5% of GDP a decade ago to consistently contributing 16–18% today,” he said. “By 2027, our target is 21%, and we are right on track.”
He noted that Nigeria’s stock exchange now lists technology companies as its top performers, surpassing even the biggest oil firms. “This shift underscores one truth: the digital economy is not just about apps—it’s about productivity gains that transform entire sectors, from agriculture to governance.”
Beyond technology, the Minister emphasised Lagos’s role as Africa’s creative heartbeat. “Nollywood is the second-largest film industry in the world. Afrobeats, born on the streets of Lagos, now fills stadiums from London to New York. Our creative economy is projected to generate over $15 billion in value in the coming years,” he said.
He described the fusion of creativity and technology as a defining feature of Nigeria’s innovation landscape. “This is where code meets culture. Where startups and studios tell a bigger story of economic transformation.”
He affirmed that to support this transformation, the Ministry is deploying a 90,000-kilometer fiber backbone through its flagship Project BRIDGE, connecting every state, local government, and ward in Nigeria. He added; “We are building the largest and most coordinated digital skills program in the world through our 3MTT initiative.” He noted that the program is aimed at preparing youth for global tech jobs.
He also announced the upcoming launch of landmark legislation, the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bills that is designed to guarantee trust, security, and accountability across Nigeria’s digital landscape.
While disclosing that that the government has launched AI Collective, a national initiative where Nigerian companies are building real-world solutions using artificial intelligence, the minster revealed that over 55 academic research projects have been funded in partnership with NITDA, and that new private-sector support schemes will be unveiled on October 1st.
“We are calling on our diaspora—some of the brightest Nigerian minds shaping global tech—to bring their capital, expertise, and networks back home,” he said. “This is how we build not just projects, but a resilient, innovative, and globally connected ecosystem.”
