Nigeria, U.S Deepen Digital Cooperation On Privacy, AI, Cybersecurity
By Stella Enenche, Abuja
Nigeria and the United States are strengthening bilateral cooperation to advance a secure and trusted digital ecosystem, with renewed focus on data privacy, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital capacity development.
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, disclosed this at the Nigeria Data Privacy Capacity Building Workshop organised by the U.S. Department of State in collaboration with the Nigerian Mission and key digital stakeholders in Abuja.
Inuwa said the engagement reflects a shared commitment by both countries to jointly confront emerging digital risks while unlocking new economic opportunities.
He noted that the collaboration on built on agreements reached under the U.S.–Nigeria Binational Commission, where both nations in April 2024 resolved to deepen cooperation in data governance, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and related areas of digital development.
According to the NITDA boss, recent joint initiatives including the co-hosted Artificial Intelligence Conference and Nigeria’s engagement with U.S. cybersecurity firms demonstrate practical steps toward strengthening Nigeria’s digital and technical ecosystem.
Inuwa stressed that trust remains the cornerstone of any successful digital economy, explaining that innovation cannot thrive without strong privacy protections, robust security architecture, and responsible use of artificial intelligence.
“A digital economy that is not trusted cannot scale. When trust is weak, innovation slows and costs rise; when trust is strong, growth accelerates,” he said.
He explained that artificial intelligence, data privacy, and cybersecurity are inseparable, noting that AI systems depend on data, data requires privacy safeguards, and privacy can only be protected through resilient security frameworks.
The NITDA Director General said the workshop marks the beginning of deeper engagements, particularly as Nigeria positions itself as a strategic hub in Africa’s digital future.
He disclosed that plans are underway to upgrade Nigeria’s National Cybersecurity Conference into an international platform, following the participation of the U.S. Mission in last year’s edition.
The expanded conference, he said, will enable U.S. cybersecurity companies to present solutions, partner with Nigerian innovators, and jointly address evolving cyber threats.
Inuwa reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to creating enabling policies that support innovation while protecting users, noting that Nigeria’s young, technology-savvy population and growing digital market place the country at the centre of Africa’s digital transformation.
While acknowledging Nigeria’s reliance on global technologies, he said the country possesses strong local talent capable of developing indigenous digital solutions, adding that NITDA will continue to work with international partners to build capacity and strengthen digital sovereignty.
He concluded by appreciating the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Mission in Nigeria for their sustained partnership, expressing optimism that cooperation in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence will continue to expand for the benefit of both nations.
