The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has called for inclusive digital infrastructure, affordable internet connectivity and sustained investment in emerging technologies to accelerate Nigeria’s economic growth and ensure that underserved communities benefit from the digital economy.
Inuwa made the call during a session titled “Inclusive Growth in the Digital Age” at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit (NES#32), organised by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
He emphasised that Nigeria must expand telecommunications infrastructure, particularly in rural and underserved communities, while investing in fibre-optic networks, data centres and artificial intelligence (AI) computing capacity.
According to him, digital connectivity has become essential to economic productivity, social inclusion and access to opportunities. Therefore, Nigeria cannot achieve meaningful digital transformation if millions of citizens remain disconnected or cannot afford the services required to participate.
The NITDA chief also stressed that the country must learn from the development of its telecommunications industry, where innovation and new approaches to service delivery helped overcome significant infrastructure and affordability challenges.
NITDA DG Draws Lessons from Nigeria’s Telecommunications Growth
Reflecting on the growth of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector since 2000, Inuwa recalled that some investors initially doubted whether Africans could afford mobile phones and related services.
However, innovative approaches to infrastructure development and service delivery helped transform the industry despite inadequate electricity, poor roads and other infrastructure limitations.
He explained that Nigeria must now apply similar thinking to its digital economy by developing solutions that reduce connectivity costs and extend reliable services to communities that commercial operators may find difficult to serve.
Inuwa maintained that innovation should focus on democratising access rather than concentrating digital opportunities in major cities and economically developed locations.
For rural communities, affordable connectivity can improve access to education, healthcare information, financial services, agricultural markets and government programmes.
It can also help small businesses reach customers beyond their immediate locations, manage transactions more efficiently and participate in wider commercial networks.
Consequently, expanding telecommunications infrastructure should remain a national development priority rather than an issue limited to the technology sector.
Digital Exclusion Could Leave Communities Behind in the Age of AI
Inuwa also highlighted the relationship between digital inclusion and the growing influence of artificial intelligence in decision-making and service delivery.
He warned that communities without adequate digital representation risk being overlooked by emerging technologies, particularly AI systems that increasingly depend on digital information and datasets.
“If you are not represented, if you are not digitally visible, AI will not see you or consider you when making decisions,” he said.
The NITDA director-general explained that digital exclusion could extend beyond limited internet access to the underrepresentation of communities’ cultures, values and languages in emerging technologies.
This concern is particularly relevant to Nigeria, where linguistic and cultural diversity creates a need for technology systems that reflect the country’s different communities.
For instance, AI systems trained primarily on data from other regions may not adequately understand Nigerian languages, local expressions and cultural contexts.
Therefore, Inuwa’s argument points to the importance of developing locally relevant digital content, datasets and technological solutions that reflect the experiences of Nigerians.
He maintained that inclusive digital development must ensure that citizens are not merely consumers of technology but also visible participants in the systems shaping the future.
FG Advances USPF and Project BRIDGE to Expand Connectivity
Inuwa said the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was committed to using technology to promote inclusion and national prosperity.
He explained that the President had directed the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, to conceptualise two major initiatives aimed at expanding telecommunications infrastructure across the country.
The initiatives include the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) project and Project BRIDGE.
The USPF initiative is designed to extend telecommunications coverage to underserved communities through the deployment of base stations, helping to address gaps in areas with limited network access.
Meanwhile, Project BRIDGE aims to deploy approximately 95,000 kilometres of fibre-optic infrastructure nationwide.
The proposed fibre network is expected to strengthen broadband connectivity, improve network capacity and support the delivery of digital services across different parts of Nigeria.
Inuwa explained that open-access infrastructure and greater private-sector participation would be important to making broadband services more affordable.
These initiatives are particularly significant because reliable connectivity remains a major requirement for digital businesses, educational institutions, healthcare providers and public-sector organisations.
However, the success of the projects will depend on effective deployment, adequate investment, maintenance and the ability to translate infrastructure expansion into affordable services for end users.
Nigeria Needs Digital Highways, Data Centres and AI Computing Capacity
Beyond telecommunications coverage, Inuwa called for a broader understanding of infrastructure development in the digital age.
He argued that national development planning must recognise the importance of digital infrastructure alongside conventional investments in roads, railways and other physical assets.
“Today, we are in a digital era; therefore, we need to build digital highways for our data as well,” he said.
He explained that Nigeria’s ambitions in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies would require sustained investment in data centres, computing capacity and AI factories.
These facilities are important because advanced digital applications depend on the ability to store, process and analyse large volumes of information.
Data centres provide the infrastructure needed to host digital platforms and services, while computing resources support the development and deployment of AI applications.
For Nigeria, building stronger domestic capacity could create opportunities for technology innovation, research, entrepreneurship and the development of locally relevant digital solutions.
Nevertheless, these investments must be supported by reliable electricity, skilled professionals, appropriate policies and strong cybersecurity arrangements.
Without these supporting conditions, the country may struggle to maximise the economic value of its digital infrastructure.
Affordable Connectivity Can Improve Productivity and Incomes
Inuwa described the relationship between connectivity, productivity and affordability as a chicken-and-egg situation.
He explained that telecommunications operators need customers who can afford their services, while improved connectivity can help those same customers increase productivity, expand business opportunities and potentially improve their incomes.
This relationship highlights one of Nigeria’s major digital inclusion challenges.
Although expanding network coverage is important, access alone does not guarantee meaningful participation. Households, entrepreneurs and small businesses must also be able to afford internet services, suitable devices and the digital tools required for everyday activities.
For example, a farmer with reliable internet access may obtain market information, monitor weather conditions and connect with buyers. A small business owner may use digital platforms to reach new customers, receive payments and manage business records.
Similarly, students and healthcare professionals can benefit from online learning resources and digital health services when reliable connectivity is available.
Inuwa therefore stressed the need to connect underserved communities so that individuals and businesses can use technology to improve their livelihoods and participate more effectively in economic activities.
Digital Infrastructure Can Improve Government Service Delivery
The NITDA director-general also highlighted the potential of digital infrastructure to improve public service delivery and reduce government operating costs.
He explained that citizens interact with government institutions at different stages of their lives, including birth registration, healthcare, education, employment, business development, marriage and property ownership.
However, traditional administrative processes often require people to visit multiple government offices to obtain services and complete documentation.
A well-developed digital infrastructure could make these services more accessible by allowing citizens to complete transactions and access information through online platforms.
This approach could reduce administrative delays, improve coordination among government institutions and make public services more convenient.
It could also help government agencies manage information more effectively and reduce some of the operational costs associated with paper-based processes.
However, successful digital public services will require secure systems, reliable databases, data protection safeguards and accessible platforms that accommodate citizens with different levels of digital literacy.
Collaboration Remains Critical to Bridging the Digital Divide
Inuwa maintained that closing Nigeria’s digital divide requires coordinated action by government and the private sector.
While government initiatives can help address infrastructure gaps and establish enabling policies, telecommunications operators, technology companies, investors and other stakeholders also have important roles to play.
Private-sector investment will be necessary to expand network coverage, improve service quality and develop sustainable business models that support affordable connectivity.
Similarly, technology companies and research institutions can contribute to developing locally relevant innovations, building computing capacity and expanding the use of emerging technologies.
NITDA’s priorities also include digital literacy, talent development, innovation, cybersecurity and partnerships to strengthen the country’s digital ecosystem.
These areas complement infrastructure expansion because citizens need both access and the necessary skills to use technology productively.
Conclusion
Kashifu Inuwa’s call for inclusive digital infrastructure and affordable connectivity highlights the importance of ensuring that Nigeria’s digital transformation benefits citizens across all communities.
The proposed expansion of telecommunications infrastructure through the USPF initiative and Project BRIDGE, alongside investment in data centres and AI computing capacity, forms part of the broader effort to strengthen the country’s digital foundation.
However, the real measure of progress will be whether these investments translate into affordable internet access, better public services, stronger businesses and new economic opportunities.
As artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies continue to influence global economic activity, Nigeria’s ability to build an inclusive digital ecosystem will be essential to its competitiveness and long-term development.
About The Author
