The National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, on Wednesday, agreed to collaborate with the Nigerian Institute of Space Engineers, NISEng, in achieving Digital Transformation in the country.
The NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, stated this during his meeting with the delegation of the NISEng, led by its National Chairman, Dr. Okpanachi George, in Abuja.
According to Mr Inuwa, there is need to efficiently use the vast opportunities embedded in the Space Technology ecosystem, stating that it is a good development for federal government agencies to partner with private organizations.
He added that NITDA as the regulator of IT in the country has put in place policies and created an enabling environment for producers and professionals to come in and create innovations which will sustain a digital Nigeria.
Mr Inuwa further stated that contrary to beliefs that satellites are obsolete, emerging technologies are now transforming the Space technology ecosystem which will evolve a new chapter and give rise to enormous transformation in the industry.
He said: “That the agency is excited to partner with the NISEng because he believes the collaboration will drive innovations, as the Space Technology Ecosystem is everywhere and encompasses different sectors like the Communications, Agriculture and Security.
“The Artificial Intelligence and Robotics play a key role in the digital space and NITDA through its National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) will collaborate with the NISEng in coming up with ideas which will transform the country through initiatives such as the Research and Development, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence and Innovations.”
Mr Inuwa, therefore, pledged to support the agency in capturing all demography especially the young start-ups in order to create a robust local content which will prepare and position the country for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
He said the agency is really looking forward to the collaboration because he believes the two organizations will exploit all possible innovations, ideas and commercialize them which in turn will consequently transform NISEng into a competitive, globally standard institute and sustain a digital Nigeria as a whole.
Earlier in his remarks, Mr George expressed his gratitude to Mr Inuwa and the NITDA management staff for taking time out of their busy schedule to receive them.
He said he had been following NITDA’s activities for some time and is greatly marveled at the agency’s dynamism and passion in sustaining a Digital Nigeria.
He particularly thanked the DG for sending a representative to the institute’s 10th National Conference and Annual General Meeting in the previous year.
He, therefore, sought further and deeper collaborations with NITDA on programmes that are insightfully valuable for national and professional development.
