NITDA Eyes $13bn Boost From Nigeria’s Creative Industry

NITDA Eyes $13bn Boost From Nigeria’s Creative Industry

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has set its sights on unlocking more than $13 billion from Nigeria’s fast-growing creative industry, as part of broader efforts to diversify the nation’s economy through technology and innovation.

Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, disclosed this over the weekend at Moment 2026, where he outlined plans to strengthen digital capacity, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks within the sector. He was represented at the event by Dr. Ayodeji Eniola.

According to him, Nigeria’s creative industry is currently valued at about $9 billion but has the potential to grow significantly with the right support systems in place.

He noted that building a strong digital backbone would be key to unlocking this growth and positioning the sector for global competitiveness.

Inuwa explained that the agency’s strategy focuses on equipping young Nigerians with relevant digital skills through initiatives such as the 3 Million Technical Talent programme, which targets areas including animation, visual effects, game development, and digital content creation.

He stressed that the future of the creative economy lies in the integration of technology, where creators can leverage digital tools to expand their reach beyond local markets and tap into global opportunities.

To support this transition, NITDA is investing in critical infrastructure, including the National Sovereign Cloud Initiative, aimed at providing secure and scalable computing services for creatives and startups.

The agency is also backing broadband expansion projects like Project BRIDGE to address connectivity challenges and widen access to digital platforms.

Beyond infrastructure, the agency is strengthening frameworks around data protection, cybersecurity, and digital trust to safeguard intellectual property and build confidence in Nigeria’s online creative space.

Inuwa further highlighted efforts to explore emerging technologies through the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, noting that innovation in areas such as artificial intelligence would enhance productivity and open new frontiers for creators.

Describing creativity as a vital economic asset, he urged young Nigerians to take advantage of digital opportunities to build sustainable careers while contributing to the country’s cultural and economic influence globally.

He added that NITDA would continue to drive policies and partnerships that encourage innovation, job creation, and long-term growth across the creative ecosystem.