At GITEX Nigeria 2026 in Abuja, NITDA Director General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi urged the country to prioritize AI sovereignty. He stated that real tech independence requires full control over the entire technology stack to protect the economy, privacy, and national security.
Infrastructure, Data Governance, and Local Control
Building strong AI capabilities depends on solid digital infrastructure. Inuwa noted that local algorithms need the support of domestic data centers, secure cloud networks, and strong connectivity.
New cloud and data policies aim to boost private investment in local data centers. At the same time, key sectors like finance, healthcare, and education must use systems governed by local laws to prevent outside control. Under the "Nigeria First" policy, NITDA is focused on full self-reliance across data, cloud, and AI systems.
Building Homegrown Technical Capacity
By controlling its data, cloud capacity, and algorithms, Nigeria aims to stop relying on foreign tech and build its own custom AI solutions.
Tech leaders, software developers, and analysts tracking global digital growth can explore active tech jobs or read the latest industry news.
Related News