Nigeria Must Not Export Data Like Crude Oil, NITDA DG Warns as Kano Unveils Digital Economy Plans

Nigeria Must Not Export Data Like Crude Oil, NITDA DG Warns as Kano Unveils Digital Economy Plans

The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has warned that Nigeria risks repeating its dependence on foreign refineries in the oil sector if it fails to invest in domestic data centres, computing infrastructure and indigenous artificial intelligence technologies.

Inuwa raised the concern on Thursday at the Global Tech Africa (GTA) 2026 Conference in Kano, where he advocated stronger investment in digital infrastructure, local innovation and collaboration among universities, businesses, government institutions and investors.

The conference also provided a platform for the Kano State Government to unveil its digital transformation agenda, including plans for a state data centre, metropolitan fibre-optic connectivity and technology-driven entrepreneurship aimed at positioning Kano as a regional digital economy hub.

Speaking on Nigeria’s digital future, the NITDA Director-General likened data centres to refineries in the emerging digital economy, stressing that countries unable to process their own data risk losing substantial economic opportunities to foreign technology providers.

“If we don’t have them in-country, it will be like before when we always export crude oil and import refined products. But for data, we don’t want to do the same thing,” he said.

Inuwa explained that NITDA was advancing a national cloud initiative designed to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to store, process and manage data locally while positioning the country as a computing hub for West and Central Africa.

He cautioned that expanding internet connectivity without corresponding investment in computing facilities would leave Nigeria dependent on foreign infrastructure for data processing, artificial intelligence development and other digital services.

According to him, the country’s digital transformation must extend beyond providing internet access to developing the infrastructure required to retain economic value, support innovation and create employment opportunities.

The NITDA chief also expressed concern about Africa’s limited representation in the datasets used to train artificial intelligence systems, warning that the continent could be marginalised in technologies increasingly influencing economic and social decisions.

He estimated that Africa accounts for no more than two per cent of global AI training data, describing the situation as a challenge requiring greater participation by African researchers, developers and technology companies.

“We are building systems that will decide who gets what in a society. If that system doesn’t recognise you, it will not consider you while making decisions,” he stated.

Inuwa urged Nigerian innovators to participate actively in developing large language models and other AI applications that reflect local languages, cultures, experiences and development priorities.

He stressed that Nigeria should move beyond consuming foreign technologies to building indigenous solutions capable of addressing domestic challenges and competing internationally.

On digital connectivity, the Director-General highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of Project BRIDGE, a national initiative targeting the deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic infrastructure across the country.

He explained that the project was intended to improve broadband connectivity across the 36 states and 774 local government areas, creating the foundation for wider access to digital services and economic opportunities.

With Nigeria hosting substantial submarine cable capacity in West Africa, Inuwa said extending fibre infrastructure to northern border states, including Kano and Katsina, could also create opportunities to connect neighbouring landlocked countries.

He maintained that infrastructure investment must be complemented by digital skills development, research, entrepreneurship and access to financing.

Inuwa cited the Federal Government’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme and the national digital literacy initiative, which targets 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030, as measures aimed at preparing Nigerians for emerging opportunities in the technology sector.

He also highlighted plans to expand startup financing through collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), alongside financing opportunities involving the Bank of Agriculture and Bank of Industry.

Addressing the relationship between education and innovation, Inuwa called for stronger collaboration among universities, entrepreneurs, established businesses, government institutions and investors to accelerate Nigeria’s transition towards a knowledge-based economy.

Drawing on research associated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), he identified academia, entrepreneurs, innovators, large corporations and government agencies, and risk capital investors as essential participants in a functional innovation ecosystem.

“We need those stakeholders to depend on one another to function well,” he said.

The NITDA boss argued that universities must work closely with employers to understand industry requirements and produce graduates equipped with practical skills rather than academic qualifications alone.

“For you to succeed, you need to start with the end in mind,” he told participants, stressing that innovation should be measured by its ability to translate ideas into commercially viable products, services and solutions.

He further emphasised that private investors should provide emerging businesses with more than financial resources by supporting corporate governance, leadership development and sustainable business management.

According to him, effective collaboration among academia, industry, entrepreneurs, investors and government would enable Nigeria to convert its youthful population and intellectual resources into productive enterprises and employment opportunities.

Meanwhile, the Kano State Government announced plans to strengthen the state’s position as a regional technology and commercial hub through investments in digital infrastructure, innovation and public sector transformation.

The Director-General of the Kano State Information Technology Development Agency (KASITDA), Dr. Bashir Abdu Muzakkari, disclosed the plans while representing Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf at the conference.

Muzakkari said the administration was implementing a digital transformation agenda covering 2025 to 2030, anchored on infrastructure development, human capital, innovation, digital governance, cybersecurity and the digitalisation of critical economic sectors.

He explained that the establishment of KASITDA was intended to strengthen institutional coordination, improve government technology investments and create an enabling environment for private sector participation.

According to him, the agency is developing an e-government framework, ICT technical standards and a procurement manual to ensure that digital investments across government institutions are coordinated, secure and aligned with the state’s development priorities.

He identified the establishment of a state data centre, expansion of metropolitan fibre-optic networks and improvement of government digital infrastructure as major priorities.

Muzakkari said the proposed investments would strengthen digital public services, improve data-driven decision-making and provide infrastructure for technology enterprises and investors.

He added that the administration was working to extend digital connectivity beyond Kano metropolis to rural communities, educational institutions, local government areas and underserved populations.

The KASITDA Director-General noted that Kano’s longstanding role as a centre of commerce, manufacturing, agriculture and regional trade provided a foundation for expanding its economic influence through technology.

He said the state’s geographical connections to other parts of Nigeria, West Africa and the Sahel also offered opportunities for cross-border digital trade and investment.

On human capital development, Muzakkari highlighted initiatives such as Kano Startup Weekend, innovation programmes and engagements with emerging technology businesses as part of efforts to nurture local talent.

He explained that the government was particularly interested in creating pathways for young people to progress from basic digital literacy to advanced technical skills, entrepreneurship and the development of commercially viable solutions.

The state government also identified healthcare, education, agriculture and transportation as priority sectors for technology adoption.

Muzakkari highlighted opportunities in digital healthcare administration, technology-enabled learning, precision agriculture, digital extension services, commodity traceability and improved logistics.

He invited telecommunications operators, technology companies, investors and development partners to explore opportunities in broadband infrastructure, data centres, technology parks, innovation hubs, digital skills development, e-commerce, smart agriculture and financial technology.

The discussions at Global Tech Africa 2026 underscored the relationship between national digital infrastructure policies and state-level efforts to develop innovation-driven economies.

While NITDA is pursuing greater domestic computing capacity, digital skills and indigenous AI development, Kano State is seeking to leverage its commercial position and infrastructure investments to attract technology businesses and expand digital opportunities.

Inuwa maintained that Nigeria’s long-term digital competitiveness would depend on its ability to combine reliable connectivity, local computing infrastructure, skilled talent, research collaboration and investment capital to create value from its growing digital resources.

By PRNigeria