NITDA, US to strengthen partnership on data privacy, AI, cybersecurity
NITDA, US to strengthen partnership on data privacy, AI, cybersecurity
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) says it is committed to strengthening the Nigeria-U.S. partnership on data privacy, Artificial Intelligence, capacity building and cybersecurity.
Malam Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of NITDA, said this on Wednesday at the Nigeria Data Privacy Capacity Building Workshop organised by the U.S. Department of State in Abuja.
The workshop was organised in collaboration with the Nigerian Mission and relevant stakeholders in the digital ecosystem.
Inuwa, recognising the existence of the partnership, said it was 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 U.S.–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.
“ In the same year, we witnessed the successful hosting of an Artificial Intelligence Conference, co-hosted by the Nigerian Government and the U.S. Mission in Nigeria.
“Our emphasis on data privacy, AI, cybersecurity, and policy is anchored on one central objective which is building trust in the digital ecosystem.
“Trust is a critical enabler of digital transformation, as its absence slows down innovation and increases costs, while its presence accelerates progress and reduces barriers to growth,” he said.
The DG also said that building a prosperous digital economy required deliberate efforts to safeguard data privacy, strengthen security frameworks and deploy AI responsibly.
He noted that AI relied on data and data demanded privacy, while privacy could only be guaranteed through strong security, hence the need to address the issues collectively.
Inuwa described the workshop as the beginning of broader engagements and deeper collaboration in other strategic areas, especially in the global digital economy.
He said that following the participation of the U.S. Mission in National Cybersecurity conference in 2026, plans were underway to expand the conference into an international cybersecurity platform this year.
According to him, the international conference will provide an opportunity for U.S. cybersecurity companies to showcase their technologies, explore partnerships with Nigerian firms developing local cyber solutions and jointly strengthen Nigeria’s cybersecurity ecosystem.
He reassured partners and stakeholders of NITDA’s commitment to building the right policies and enabling environment for innovation to thrive.
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Inuwa noted that Nigeria, alongside Africa, represented the next frontier of the digital economy, driven by a young, digital-native population with a large expanding market.
He added that the country possessed significant local talent that were capable of developing homegrown solutions to address national and regional challenges.
“We remain 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 nation can afford to be left behind.
“The only way to harness the opportunities of the ongoing AI revolution is by safeguarding privacy, establishing sound policies and laying a strong digital foundation capable of supporting rapid technological advancement,” he said.
