By Emmanuella Oghenetega
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has called for deeper collaboration between government institutions and emerging startups as a critical driver of Nigeria’s digital transformation and economic development.
Speaking at the Nigerian Satellite Week 2026 in Abuja, themed “Harnessing Space Technology for an Extraordinary Nigeria,” Inuwa urged stakeholders to prioritise partnerships to unlock innovation and deliver measurable impact.
“Take a good step, and you can make a difference,” he said, stressing the importance of translating ideas into tangible outcomes through collective effort.
Represented by NITDA’s Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, Aristotle Onumo, Inuwa outlined four guiding principles for driving digital transformation: enabling rather than controlling the ecosystem; prioritising networks over rigid institutions; developing talent while supporting innovation through practical solutions; and focusing on scalable platforms instead of isolated projects.
To demonstrate the impact of digital innovation, he shared the example of a rural farmer who overcame productivity challenges, ranging from unstable rents to failed loans, through access to digital tools and networks. He noted that such incremental interventions can scale into broader economic gains and contribute to national infrastructure, including satellite systems.
Highlighting the evolving role of space technology, Inuwa observed that startups are increasingly leading innovation in telecommunications, navigation, security, and cloud services. He added that Nigeria’s “Sunrise Packet” is projected to contribute over $1.5 billion to the economy by 2030.
“Innovation without adoption is wasted,” he said, emphasising the need for government to create an enabling environment through supportive policies, infrastructure, and incentives that allow startups to scale.
He further explained that developmental regulation should focus on market creation, ecosystem coordination, and public value delivery rather than stifling innovation. Inuwa pointed to initiatives such as the Digital Start-Up Act, Idea Hatch, and the National Digital Leadership Programme as key drivers of Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem, empowering young innovators and connecting them to global opportunities.
He also highlighted platforms including GITEX Africa, GITEX Nigeria, and Digital Nigeria, which provide startups with visibility and access to investment, partnerships, and mentorship.
Inuwa concluded with a call for sustained collaboration among government, startups, non-governmental organisations, and investors, describing Nigeria’s youth population as the country’s greatest asset.
“If we are going to create a digital Nigeria, we must collaborate,” he said.
Also speaking, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, described Nigeria’s satellite infrastructure as central to the nation’s digital future.
“Nigeria is the only West African country with its own satellite. Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited provides critical connectivity and resilience, benefiting not just Nigeria but the entire region,” he said.
Tijani disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the acquisition of NigComSat-2A and NigComSat-2B, a move expected to significantly strengthen Nigeria’s space capabilities.
He, however, noted that infrastructure alone is insufficient, stressing the importance of leveraging technology to improve agriculture, education, security, and business operations.
The minister also highlighted key investments, including a ₦12 billion digital economy research cluster fund under Project Bridge, expansion of Nigeria’s digital backbone through 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables, and the deployment of nearly 4,000 telecom towers in underserved communities. Additional satellite deployments are also planned to enhance regional connectivity across neighbouring countries.
“The talent, ideas, and energy are all here in Nigeria. It is up to us to turn them into real outcomes for our people and the economy,” Tijani added.
The event continues to serve as a strategic platform for collaboration among government, academia, startups, and the private sector, reinforcing Nigeria’s position in Africa’s digital and space economy.
In her welcome address, the Managing Director of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, Jane Nkechi Egerton-Ideyen, said Nigeria’s space programme is entering a new phase of focused growth.
She noted that the agency’s revenue increased from less than $650 million in 2023 to over $2 billion in 2025, driven by reforms, new commercial deals, and growing demand for satellite broadband services across Africa.
Egerton-Ideyen also revealed that Nigeria has launched seven space assets in just over two decades, with a renewed focus on practical outcomes such as improving connectivity, enhancing livelihoods, and promoting inclusive development.
According to her, more than 500 young Nigerians received training in satellite technology in the past year, while over 50 startups benefited from the agency’s accelerator programme.
