The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is targeting over $13 billion from Nigeria’s creative industry by boosting digital skills, infrastructure, and regulation to drive economic diversification.
Speaking at Moment 2026, Africa’s largest gathering of content creators, over the weekend, the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, said the agency is intensifying efforts to transform the creative space into a globally competitive, technology powered ecosystem.
Represented by Dr. Ayodeji Eniola, Inuwa noted that the industry, currently valued at about $9 billion, holds significant growth potential if supported by the right digital backbone and policy environment.
He said NITDA’s approach centres on equipping young Nigerians with in-demand digital skills, particularly through the 3 million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative, which targets competencies in animation, visual effects, game development and digital content production.
The NITDA boss stressed that the future of the creative economy lies at the intersection of technology and innovation, where creators leverage digital tools to scale their reach beyond local markets.
To support this shift, he disclosed that the agency is investing in critical infrastructure, including the National Sovereign Cloud Initiative, designed to provide secure and scalable computing services for creators and startups.
He added that broadband expansion projects, such as Project BRIDGE, are also being supported to close connectivity gaps and enable wider participation in the digital economy.
Inuwa further highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen data protection, cybersecurity and digital trust frameworks, describing them as essential to protecting intellectual property and boosting confidence in Nigeria’s online creative ecosystem.
He said NITDA is also exploring the use of emerging technologies through the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) to enhance innovation and productivity across the sector.
Describing creativity as a strategic economic asset, Inuwa urged young Nigerians to harness digital opportunities to build sustainable careers and expand Nigeria’s global cultural influence.
He maintained that the agency would continue to drive policies and partnerships that support job creation, innovation and long-term growth within the creative industry.
