Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi Explained

Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi
Office:Director General NITDA
Termstart:August 20th 2019
Predecessor:Isa Ali Pantami
Birth Date:21 February 1980
Birth Place:Hadejia, Jigawa State, Nigeria
Birthname:Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi
Alma Mater:

    Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE (born 21 February 1980) is a Nigerian Technocrat, and as of 2024, the current Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).[1] [2] His professional expertise[3] include strategy implementation, solutions architect, and transformational leadership.

    Abdullahi started his career as a network engineer in 2005 at Galaxy Backbone, and has worked for many years in the private/public IT space. He is a Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE Certification), and a Fellow of the Nigeria Computer Society[4] (NCS). In 2023, the California Metropolitan University in London conferred to him an Honorary Doctorate Degree[5] in Business Administration (Leadership and Management)–at the Leaders Without Borders Annual Business Summit.[6] [7]

    Career and Public Service

    Prior to his election as Director General at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Abdullahi served as senior network engineer for Galaxy Backbone Ltd,[8] from 2014 to 2017, and as senior technology solutions architect for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), a position he held from 2014 to 2017.[9]

    In 2017, Abdullahi was appointed Technical Assistant to the Director General of NITDA, tasked with the responsibility of implementing the Agency's strategic objectives. In 2019, he was appointed Director General of NITDA by Muhammadu Buhari, former President of Nigeria.[10] Under his leadership, NITDA made great progress in driving innovation and fostering digital inclusion nationwide.[11] In October 2023, Nigeria's president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu renewed Abdullahi's tenure, affirming his commitment to advancing the nation's digital agenda.[12] [13]

    Director-General NITDA (2019–present)

    As the current Director-General/CEO of NITDA, Abdullahi leads strategic initiatives aimed at advancing Nigeria's ICT ecosystem. Under his guidance, NITDA has successfully implemented several strategic initiatives[14] [15] and projects to promote digital inclusion,[16] drive innovation, create jobs[17] and improve access to critical IT[18] infrastructure nationwide.[19]

    The impact of NITDA on Nigeria's ICT sector through the implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS)[20] and its Strategic Roadmap[21] has significantly contributed to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In the first quarter of 2020, the sector contributed 14.07% to the GDP, which increased to 17.92% in the second quarter of 2021, rose to 18.44% in the second quarter of 2022,[22] [23] and to over 19.5% in the second quarter of 2023.[24]

    Abdullahi's expertise and leadership[25] have played a significant role in shaping Nigeria's IT industry.[26] Since assuming the role of Director General at NITDA, he has prioritised skills development, upskilling, and reskilling over 1.5 million Nigerians[27] across various career disciplines.[28] Additionally, he has been instrumental in formulating critical policy frameworks guiding the Nigerian government's interventions in the IT ecosystem.[29]

    In 2019, Abdullahi oversaw the issuance[30] of endorsement certificates to over 1,000 Indigenous IT companies and service providers, as part of NITDA's commitment to supporting local businesses. Abdullahi also facilitated the issuance of licenses to 12 local OEMs[31] and over 100 data protection companies,[32] contributing to Nigeria's competitive IT landscape.

    Contributions to the Agency

    Abdullahi's leadership at NITDA has been marked by transformative rebranding[33] of the Agency with approved Conditions and Scheme of Service through internal design, development and implementation of the "Systemic Reform and Development of NITDA" to train and maintain skilled staff[34] and emerge as a dynamic force driving innovation and progress in the ICT sector.[35] One of Abdullahi's notable achievements was spearheading the development and implementation of the NITDA Strategic Roadmap & Action Plan (SRAP2021-2024),[36] a blueprint to provide direction and ensure the consolidation of the gains of the digital economy, as well as creation of jobs, particularly for Nigeria's youth.[37]

    Abdullahi's commitment to advancing Nigeria's digital landscape is evident in his multifaceted approach to capacity building[38] and Human resource development. Through initiatives like the National Adopted Village for Smart Agriculture (NAVSA)[39] and the Nigeria Digital Agriculture Strategy (NDAS-2020-2030),[40] he aimed to equip farmers with modern technology and innovative farming techniques. Additionally, he supported the design and implementation of IT clearance for government MDAs streamlined processes, which cleared 866 projects from 336 Federal Public Institutions (FPIs), saving the government ₦305.96 billion since 2019.[41]

    Abdullahi's leadership led to significant achievements in information security and digital innovation. His agency's attainment of Certification[42] marked a milestone for the Agency, showcasing Abdullahi's dedication to high standards in data management. He also encouraged the promotion of Nigerian content in IT[43] through improved ICT goods and services[44] and worked on bridging the digital divide by deploying 320 digital economy centers.[45] These efforts not only empowered citizens with digital resources[46] [47] but also attracted a total inflow of US$4.04 billion in Foreign Direct Investments (FDI),[48] reflecting international confidence in Nigeria's digital future under Abdullahi's guidance.

    He unveiled the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI)[49] a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to inspire the creation of innovative solutions to domestic issues, support the incubation of ideas and develop an enabling environment for start-ups to thrive.[50] [51] Through ONDI, 758 start-ups were supported by working with foreign-based collaborators such as Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)[52] Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Support (TIES) Scheme, Next Innovation with Japan (NINJA) Acceleration Programme, Bridge to MassChallenge Nigeria programme and Idea Hatch (iHatch) Incubation programme.[53] [54]

    He also unveiled the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR),[55] another SPV to promote research and development of emerging technologies and their practical applications in areas of national interest. This SPV has allowed for seamless communication between NITDA and the start-up ecosystem,[56] improved trust between both parties, serves as a bridge between developmental regulation and rapid innovation and has paved the way for a more sustainable and dynamic digital economy.[57]

    Twitter suspension

    During Nigeria's Twitter suspension,[58] Abdullahi led the technical team that had a robust engagement which spurred global digital diplomacy and set a new template[59] for the operations of big tech companies in Nigeria and other developing countries.[60]

    Notes and References

    1. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/08/fg-appoints-kashifu-abdullahi-as-new-nitda-boss/ FG Appoints Mr Kashifu Abdullahi as Director-General NITDA
    2. Web site: Buhari Appoints . MSN. 20 August 2019.
    3. Book: T. Evers . Arnoud . I. J. M. van der Heijden . Beatrice . Competence and Professional Expertise . 2016 . Springer, Cham . 978-3-319-41711-0 . 83–101 . 10.1007/978-3-319-41713-4_4 .
    4. Web site: NCS . Nigerian Computer Society . 13 July 2023.
    5. Web site: LWB UK 2023 Doctoral Conferment . Leaders Without Borders Development Centre . 13 July 2023.
    6. Web site: Leaders Without Borders Development Centre . Leaders Without Borders . 24 July 2023.
    7. Web site: DG NITDA Bags Honorary Doctorate from California Metropolitan University . PRNigeria . 20 May 2023 . 13 July 2023.
    8. https://galaxybackbone.com.ng Galaxy Backbone Ltd (Nigeria): Official website
    9. Web site: Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi Biography . ICE GOV . 24 July 2023.
    10. News: Elebeke . Emanuel . Buhari renews appointment of NITDA DG . 11 September 2023 . February 4, 2023.
    11. Indigenous Content in I.T: The NITDA's way of igniting the Nigeria's Tech Ecosystem . The Info-Tech Regulator . 2023 . 2449–1152 . 17 April 2024.
    12. News: Omoniyi . Faith . Nigeria's president Bola Tinubu reappoints Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi as director general of NITDA . 3 December 2023 . TechCabal . Oct 12, 2023.
    13. News: Nwachukwu . John Owen . President Tinubu retains Kashifu Abdullahi as DG of NITDA . 3 December 2023 . Daily Post . October 11, 2023.
    14. Web site: STRATEGIC Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2021 - 2024) . NITDA . 26 July 2023.
    15. Web site: Okorafor . Oluchi . Key Into Our Strategic Pillars, Abdullahi Urges Tech Developers . Science Nigeria . 26 July 2023 . Dec 9, 2021.
    16. Web site: Okonji . Emma . NITDA Restates Commitment to Create Digital Nigeria Workforce . This Day . 26 July 2023.
    17. Web site: Dan-Awoh . Deborah . NITDA empowers 300, set to boost digital economy . Punch . 12 September 2022 . 26 July 2023.
    18. Web site: Ezeadiugwu . Ejieke . Director General, NITDA, National Technology Regulatory Agency Kashifu Abdullahi, visits Rack Centre, Commends Massive Infrastructural Development. . Rack Centre . 24 May 2021 . 26 July 2023.
    19. Web site: Partner . NITDA: How we managed Nigeria's digital transformation in one year – Kashifu Abdullahi . Tech Cabal . 23 September 2020 . 26 July 2023.
    20. Web site: Adeluyi . Olufemi . NATIONAL DIGITAL ECONOMY POLICY AND STRATEGY (NDEPS): 2020-2030 . NITDA . 31 July 2023.
    21. News: Nda-Isaiah . Jonathan . Buhari Inaugurates Presidential Council On Digital Economy, E-govt . 31 July 2023 . 2022.
    22. News: Udegbunam . Oge . ICT's contribution to Nigeria's GDP increases despite economic slowdown . 31 July 2023 . Premium Times . August 25, 2020.
    23. News: Reporter . Our . ICT contributed 14% to GDP in Q1 of 2020 —NITDA boss . 31 July 2023 . Tribune . August 4, 2020.
    24. News: Akintaro . Samson . ICT contributed 15.97% to Nigeria's real GDP in Q3 2023 . 17 April 2024 . Nairametrics . 15 November 2023.
    25. News: My Goal Is To Transform NITDA Into A Smart Organization – DG, Abdullahi . 31 July 2023 . The Will . August 26, 2019.
    26. Web site: Kashifu Inuwa: Putting NITDA on the Cusp of a Revolution . Bloomberg L.P . Bloomberg . 21 August 2023 . 28 September 2022.
    27. News: Ekugo . Ngozi . 30,000 Nigerians to be trained on a Blockchain through scholarship by NITDA . 31 July 2023 . 2022.
    28. News: Isaac . Nkechi . NITDA Trains NPF Officers On Digital Literacy . 31 July 2023 . Science Nigeria . July 7, 2022.
    29. News: Anyaogu . Isaac . NITDA is boosting Nigeria's digital economy through smart regulation – Inuwa . 31 July 2023 . Business Day . Aug 29, 2022.
    30. News: Ojoye . Taiwo . NITDA launches portal for indigenous IT companies . 1 August 2023 . Punch . March 26, 2019.
    31. News: Elebeke . Emmanuel . NITDA Issues 11 Licenses to Data Protection Companies . 1 August 2023 . Vanguard . October 19, 2019.
    32. News: NITDA Issues Licenses to 11 Data Protection Compliance Organizations . 1 August 2023 . CybersecFill.
    33. News: Nkwocha . Angela . FG rebrands NITDA to actualize a digital Nigeria . 1 August 2023 . The Authority . August 18, 2020.
    34. News: Adaramola . Zakariyya . FG Approves New Scheme Of Service For NITDA Staff . 17 April 2024 . Daily Trust . 9 Mar 2021.
    35. Web site: Bassey Foluke . Yewande . NITDA, NCAA TO FORM ALLIANCE ON DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION . NITDA . 1 August 2023 . September 2, 2021.
    36. News: Elebeke . Emmanuel . NITDA unveils strategic roadmap . 17 April 2024 . Vanguard . April 30, 2021.
    37. News: Nigeria IT Development Gets Major Boost As NITDA Unveils SRAP . 1 August 2023 . Tech Mirror . April 29, 2021.
    38. Web site: Capacity Building . NITDA . 1 August 2023.
    39. News: Coffie-Gyamfi . Charles . NITDA targets 10 million farmers with NAVSA smart farming platform . 1 August 2023 . The Guardian . February 22, 2022.
    40. News: NITDA canvasses adoption of digital technology to boost agriculture . 17 April 2024 . Premium Times . November 25, 2020.
    41. News: Adaramola . Zakariyya . Nigeria's Digital Economy Under Buhari . 2 August 2023 . Daily Trust . May 24, 2023.
    42. News: Oyibo . Ediri . NITDA attains milestone with ISO award . 2 August 2023 . The News Guru . 2019.
    43. News: Ohwovoriole . Oghenevwede . Proper Local Content Regulation, Catalyst for Economic Transformation, Says NITDA . 2 August 2023 . This Day . 2021.
    44. News: Anuforo . Chinenye . Local content regulation adoption transforming Nigeria's economy – DG NITDA . 2 August 2023 . The Sun . February 11, 2021.
    45. News: Godfrey . Chimezie . NITDA deepens collaboration with grassroot stakeholders, share ideas on bridging digital divide . 2 August 2023 . News Diary . November 23, 2022.
    46. News: Enenche . Stella . NITDA Reiterates Commitment To Create Enabling Environment For Youth Empowerment . 2 August 2023 . The Fact Daily . November 17, 2022.
    47. News: Emejor . Chibuzor . NITDA Re-Affirms Commitment To Create Enabling Environment For Women Entrepreneurs . 2 August 2023 . Independent . June 19, 2022.
    48. News: Afolabi . Blessing . Nigeria gets 30% of Africa's foreign direct investment – NITDA . 2 August 2023 . Punch . May 23, 2023.
    49. News: Isaac . Nkechi . Why We Created ONDI – NITDA . 2 August 2023 . Science Nigeria . December 20, 2021.
    50. News: NITDA's ONDI begins new training for vibrant startups . 2 August 2023 . IT News Nigeria . March 25, 2022.
    51. News: Ibanga . Inyene . ONDI: Refining Local Content for Powering Nigeria's Innovation Revolution . 2 August 2023 . Tech Digest . June 21, 2022.
    52. News: ONDI Partners With JICA To Train & Support Startups In Nigeria's North East Region . 2 August 2023 . Wee Tracker . December 10, 2022.
    53. News: Isaac . Nkechi . iHatch Startup Incubation Programme Begins 2nd Cohort Selection . 2 August 2023 . Science Nigeria . June 15, 2022.
    54. News: Ojeme . Victoria . Nigeria can gain US$229bn if women participate in digital economy – NITDA . 2 August 2023 . Vanguard . May 7, 2023.
    55. News: Ibanga . Inyene . That National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in Nigeria . 2 August 2023 . Economic Confidential . November 16, 2020.
    56. News: Omolaoye . Sodiq . FG working on national policy to promote tech start-ups . 2 August 2023 . The Guardian . October 31, 2021.
    57. News: Ohwovoriole . Oghenevwede . FG, Seedbuilders Agree to Build Capacity of Tech Innovators . 2 August 2023 . This Day . 2021.
    58. News: Onuah . Felix . Nigeria lifts Twitter ban from midnight, government official says . 21 August 2023 . Reuters . 12 January 2022.
    59. News: Odueso . Timi . Nigeria seeks to regulate social media with new NITDA Code of Practice . 1 August 2023 . Tech Cabal . June 14, 2022.
    60. News: Twitter ban in Nigeria: President Buhari lift ban on Twitter afta seven months . 21 August 2023 . BBC News Pidgin . 12 January 2022.

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