Nigerians need digital skills to apply technology for economic growth – Inuwa

The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, has said that citizens must be equipped with digital skills to utilise technological tools effectively for economic progress.

He emphasised the significance of perceiving technology as a neutral instrument that can accelerate Nigeria’s socio-economic advancement.

Speaking during a virtual panel session titled “Culture and Innovation: The Changing Landscape and Technoculture,” Inuwa outlined the importance of leveraging technology to balance cultural preservation with economic growth.

The event, organised by the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy in partnership with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, NESG, and UNESCO, provided a platform for stakeholders to explore the dynamic role of technology in shaping cultural and economic transformations.

Inuwa, who was represented by the Acting Director, Regulation and Compliance, Barrister Emmanuel Edet, stressed that technology is inherently neutral—it is neither beneficial nor harmful in isolation but depends on the intent and strategy behind its usage.

He advocated implementing robust policies and fostering collaborations to ensure technological innovations align with Nigeria’s cultural heritage and developmental goals.

As global cultures and economies are increasingly influenced by digital innovation, Inuwa pointed to creative tools such as Figma, Canva, and CorelDRAW, which incorporate Artificial Intelligence, AI, to enhance user experiences.

He underlined the need to equip Nigerians with digital skills to utilise these tools effectively for economic progress.

Inuwa further stated, “Technology is a tool—it all depends on how we use it.

“Our objective is to create an environment that allows technology to contribute to Nigeria's economic and creative development.”;