By Saminu Ibrahim
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 to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda and promote technology-driven business growth.
The partnership was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of GITEX Nigeria by the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, and his NACCIMA counterpart, Engr. Olusola Obadimu.
The agreement is expected to strengthen collaboration between government and the organised private sector while fostering innovation, digital technology adoption and enterprise development across the country.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Obadimu described the agreement as a timely intervention that would help businesses, particularly Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), remain competitive in an increasingly digital global economy.
He said digital transformation had become a necessity for the private sector, stressing that NACCIMA, as the umbrella body of Nigeria’s organised private sector, was pleased to partner with NITDA.
“It is an excellent arrangement to have this type of protocol on digitisation and digital transformation, especially for the private sector,” he said.
According to him, there was no better partner for the initiative than NITDA, adding that NACCIMA was committed to moving the partnership forward.
Under the agreement, both organisations will collaborate on the development of a digital ecosystem platform, enterprise digital transformation for MSMEs, promotion of digital innovation and technology adoption, as well as capacity building for Nigerian businesses.
The partnership will also support the development and institutionalisation of the Digital Nigeria International Conference (DNICE) 2026 and subsequent editions.
It is further expected to create stronger linkages among government institutions, private sector organisations, technology companies, academia, investors and development partners, thereby creating an enabling environment for innovation and economic growth.
Obadimu said implementation of the agreement would commence immediately, assuring Nigerians that the impact of the partnership would soon become visible.
“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 said.
The NACCIMA chief also highlighted the potential benefits of the partnership for Nigeria’s growing youth population, particularly young entrepreneurs driving innovation and digital businesses.
“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 is in line with NITDA’s mandate to advance Nigeria’s digital economy through technology innovation, digital literacy and business transformation, while leveraging NACCIMA’s extensive reach within the organised private sector.
