NITDA DG calls for transition form certification economy tot capability economy

By Mariam Abeeb

In alignment with the presidential agenda of Reforming the Economy for Sustained Inclusive Growth, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, has called for a fundamental shift in Nigeria’s education system from an economy that places primary emphasis on academic certificates to one that prioritises practical capabilities, innovation, and the ability to translate knowledge into solutions that drive national development.

The DG, who was represented by the agency’s Director of the Special Duties Department, Dr Aristotle Onumo, made this call while delivering the keynote address at the 3rd International Biennial Conference of the College of Physical Sciences (COLPHYS 2026) at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State.

Speaking on the theme, “From Scientific Discovery to National Prosperity: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence and Convergent Innovation to Transform Nigeria,” he emphasised the need for universities to move beyond the traditional boundaries of academic disciplines and embrace collaborative research, emerging technologies, and practical problem-solving.

Addressing the university community, researchers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and students, Inuwa noted that Nigeria’s development would depend not merely on the volume of research produced or the number of academic publications generated, but on the country’s ability to convert scientific knowledge into productive enterprises, innovative solutions, improved public services, and better livelihoods.

“The future of our country will not be determined simply by how much research we produce. It will be determined by how effectively we convert research into productivity, innovation, enterprise and national prosperity,” he stated.

He explained that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly enabling convergence across disciplines such as agriculture, healthcare, environmental science, mathematics, engineering, and data science, creating opportunities to address complex national challenges through multidisciplinary collaboration.

According to him, AI should complement human expertise and strengthen scientific discovery rather than replace researchers or diminish the importance of human judgment.

While stressing that the real value of technological advancement lies in its practical application to improve human lives, the DG said, “AI does not replace science. It amplifies science.”

Using agriculture as an example, he illustrated how integrating agricultural science, satellite imagery, climate modelling, Internet of Things sensors, and AI could help farmers improve planting decisions, detect crop diseases, optimise irrigation, reduce input waste, and access better market information.

He, however, cautioned that innovations must be designed around Nigeria’s realities, including local languages, affordability, limited connectivity, and the specific needs of the people expected to use them.

He similarly highlighted opportunities for AI-enabled solutions in healthcare and climate resilience, including improved disease surveillance, clinical decision support, flood-risk prediction, and early-warning systems.

He maintained that such technologies must be responsibly deployed, with appropriate safeguards for data privacy, accountability, fairness, and public trust.

Inuwa reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s digital transformation ecosystem through digital literacy, talent development, digital infrastructure, innovation, and responsible technology adoption.

He referenced the Agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF), the Digital Literacy for All initiative (DL4ALL), and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme as key efforts supporting the development of the skills and capabilities required for a technology-driven economy.

He also highlighted the importance of expanding access to reliable connectivity and research infrastructure, noting that scientific institutions need suitable computing resources, quality datasets, secure cloud environments, and dependable electricity to compete effectively and develop locally relevant innovations. He called for stronger partnerships among government, academia, industry, investors, and entrepreneurs to create pathways through which promising research can be validated, commercialised, and deployed at scale.

Turning specifically to higher education institutions, the NITDA DG urged universities to redefine how they measure academic and institutional success by placing greater emphasis on research impact, collaborative problem-solving, entrepreneurship, and the development of graduates capable of creating opportunities rather than merely seeking existing jobs.

“The university of the future cannot remain merely a place where knowledge is transmitted, and certificates are awarded. It must become a place where problems are investigated, solutions are developed, enterprises are created, and society is transformed,” he said.