The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, has underscored the imperative of fostering a safe and inclusive online environment to drive Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
Inuwa reiterated this stance during a meeting with a delegation from TikTok at the Agency’s Corporate Headquarters in Abuja, emphasizing the need for strategic partnerships to advance the nation’s digital landscape.
The meeting, which sought to explore collaboration opportunities between NITDA and TikTok, aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s priority of strengthening national security for peace and prosperity.
In his remarks, Inuwa emphasized the importance of content moderation strategies in addressing online challenges such as hate speech, misinformation, and cyberbullying, particularly in safeguarding minors across the country. He highlighted the significance of NITDA’s Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries in ensuring digital safety and content moderation in line with global best practices.
“No organization or institution can operate in silos; we need each other for the actualization of our goals and objectives towards service delivery and the advancement of the nation,” Inuwa stated, emphasizing the collaborative approach needed to achieve impactful outcomes.
Inuwa outlined several critical areas where collaboration with TikTok could contribute to Nigeria’s digital advancement, including Digital Literacy 4 All (DL4ALL), Capacity Building, knowledge sharing, and curbing misinformation. He noted that TikTok’s platform provides avenues for creative expression, entertainment, and informational content, serving as a launchpad for influencers and trends that can go viral.
Highlighting NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2.0 (SRAP 2024-2027), structured around eight pillars, Inuwa emphasized the agency’s commitment to fostering digital literacy, building robust technology research ecosystems, enhancing cybersecurity, and promoting inclusive access to digital infrastructure and services, among others.
In her remarks, Mrs. Tokunbo Ibrahim, Head of Government Regulation and Public Policy TikTok Nigeria and West Africa, commended NITDA for its remarkable strides in advancing the digital economy sector. Ibrahim highlighted TikTok’s initiatives in supporting Nigerian creators, empowering tech creators through campaigns, and fostering online safety.
She emphasized TikTok’s commitment to securing the cyber space and supporting Nigerian creators in showcasing their talents, marketing products and services, and attracting investments on a global scale.
