The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has entered into a strategic partnership with Lancaster University, UK, to advance Nigeria’s digital transformation through cutting-edge research and innovation. The collaboration was formalised during a visit by a delegation from Lancaster University, led by Professor Kirk Semple, Director of International Research, to NITDA’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
NITDA Director-General, Malam Kashifu Inuwa, emphasised that the partnership is aimed at leveraging research and innovation to empower young Nigerians, stimulate entrepreneurship, and foster sustainable national development.
Central to the collaboration is the Research and Innovation Partnership for Entrepreneurship (RIPE) programme, a Lancaster University initiative that seeks to turn academic research into practical solutions with real-world impact, particularly in promoting entrepreneurship and economic resilience.
Highlighting Africa’s limited investment in research and development (R&D), Inuwa noted that this gap has impeded the continent’s transition to a knowledge-based economy. “For us to build a robust and sustainable economy, we need to invest in research. Many Nigerian farmers, for example, still lack access to digital tools and data that could significantly improve productivity and resource use,” he stated.
He added that robust R&D efforts are vital not only for addressing sector-specific challenges but also for shaping effective, data-driven policies and regulations needed to drive Nigeria’s digital growth.
Inuwa reiterated NITDA’s focus on emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), drones, blockchain, robotics, and additive manufacturing. He said these technologies have the potential to solve pressing local problems and open new economic frontiers.
“Our goal is to build a thriving tech research ecosystem that connects academia, government, industry, entrepreneurs, and venture capitalists,” he said.
He also stressed the need for Nigerian universities to reform their curricula to align with the digital economy and produce graduates who can develop innovative, problem-solving solutions.
The initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises global partnerships and research-led innovation as key drivers of Nigeria’s economic and digital future.
“This partnership is a major step forward in our commitment to international cooperation and in advancing the President’s vision for Nigeria’s digital future,” Inuwa said.
Professor Kirk Semple highlighted Lancaster University’s global research leadership and its focus on delivering real societal value. He described the RIPE programme as a vehicle for transforming academic knowledge into impactful innovations.
“Universities today must go beyond generating knowledge. We must demonstrate impact—by supporting policy, innovation, and transforming communities,” Semple said. He stressed that partnerships like this enable universities to serve as knowledge hubs for organisations lacking in-house research capabilities, helping to tackle critical global issues such as climate change, public health, and digital inequality.
Semple also underscored the importance of establishing cross-sector, long-term networks that ensure sustained, measurable impact.