The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has revealed plans to establish research centres with cutting-edge technologies across the country’s six geo-political zones.
These centres will concentrate on innovations in fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain technology.
The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, noted this at the IoT West Africa Conference. He outlined the focus areas for the research centres, which go beyond AI, IoT, and blockchain, to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), additive manufacturing, and robotics.
As explained by the NITDA DG, these specialized research centres are expected to drive advancements in emerging sectors.
In addition to promoting research, NITDA plans to support Nigerian startups developing products based on these technologies. The agency aims to create innovation sandboxes where startups can develop practical applications and bring their ideas to market, supporting the growth of new businesses in the tech sector.
An important part of NITDA’s initiative includes its involvement in the federal government’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program. This initiative aims to train and empower three million Nigerians with technical skills by 2027.
Although some of these individuals may seek opportunities abroad, their expertise will contribute to Nigeria’s global talent pool and potentially increase remittances back to the country, bolstering the economy.
During the IoT West Africa Conference in Lagos, the Managing Director of Vertex Next, Shitij Taneja, highlighted Nigeria’s prospect of becoming “Africa’s Silicon Valley.”
Taneja noted that Nigeria’s large youth population and dynamic startup sector places the country at the fore in technology development within Africa.
The conference underlined Nigeria’s growing importance in the tech industry, attracting huge investment and facilitating the development of IoT and other emerging technologies.
The IoT West Africa Conference, co-located with the Africa Data Center and Cloud Expo, showcased emerging technologies and reiterated the essential role of the telecoms industry in the region’s economic growth and digital adoption.
The event accentuated Lagos’ strategic importance as a hub for technology and innovation, mirroring Nigeria’s rapid technological advancements and the striving digital economy.
Aiming to attract investors’ support in Nigerian startups, the conference further enhances the country’s standing in the global tech industry.
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