At the sideline of the GITEX Nigeria, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda, fostering innovation, and empowering businesses across the country through technology-driven growth.

The partnership was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa and the Director General of NACCIMA, Engr. Olusola Obadimu marking a significant milestone in the nation’s journey towards building an inclusive and competitive digital economy.

Speaking shortly after the signing ceremony, the Director General of NACCIMA described the agreement as a timely and strategic intervention for the private sector, emphasizing that digital transformation has become imperative for businesses seeking relevance and competitiveness in today’s global economy.

“It is an excellent arrangement to have this type of protocol on digitisation and digital transformation, especially for the private sector,” he said. “NACCIMA is the umbrella body of the organised private sector in Nigeria, and digital transformation is a necessity. There is no better partner to work with than NITDA, and we are happy to sign this MoU and move the partnership forward.”

The agreement provides a structured framework for collaboration in several key areas, including the development of a collaborative digital ecosystem platform, enterprise digital transformation for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), promotion of digital innovation and technology adoption, capacity building for Nigerian businesses, and strategic cooperation towards the successful development and institutionalisation of the Digital Nigeria International Conference (DNICE) 2026 and subsequent editions.

The partnership also seeks to facilitate stronger linkages among government institutions, private sector organisations, technology companies, academia, investors, development partners, and other stakeholders, creating an enabling environment for innovation and economic growth.

Underscoring the urgency of implementation, the NACCIMA DG disclosed that both organisations are prepared to commence execution of the agreement immediately.

“We are going to hit the ground running as soon as we return to our offices for the implementation of this agreement. Nigerians will begin to see things happen almost instantaneously,” he stated.

According to the NACCIMA DG, the partnership holds immense prospects for Nigeria, particularly for the country's growing youth population, who are increasingly driving innovation and digital entrepreneurship.

“Digitalisation is the way to go. As you can see, we have a youthful population, and they are the ones driving this process. We should encourage them and give them all the necessary support to go beyond Nigeria and compete on the global stage,” he said.

The collaboration aligns with NITDA’s broader mandate of driving Nigeria’s digital economy through technology innovation, digital literacy, and business transformation, while leveraging NACCIMA’s extensive network and influence across the organised private sector.

•PHOTO: At the sidelines of GITEX Nigeria 2026, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance Nigeria’s digital economy. NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, signed on behalf of the Agency, while Engr. Olusola Obadimu signed on behalf of NACCIMA.