Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), was bestowed with an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration (Leadership and Management) by California Metropolitan University (CMU) during the prestigious Leaders Without Borders Annual Business (LWD) Summit held in London.
The LWD Annual Business Summit, a global event gathering business leaders, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders from around the world, serves as a platform to foster collaboration and innovation in the realm of business.
The distinguished accolade was presented to Inuwa in recognition of his exceptional leadership and remarkable contributions to the advancement of the Nigerian information technology sector.
A highly esteemed figure within the Nigerian tech community, Inuwa has played a pivotal role in propelling the country’s digital transformation agenda forward.
Additionally, he has been a strong advocate for leveraging technology in education, healthcare, agriculture, and other crucial sectors.
Through his efforts, he has forged partnerships between the Nigerian government and the private sector to expedite the growth and development of the Nigerian tech industry.
Under Inuwa’s astute guidance, the NITDA has successfully formulated numerous regulatory frameworks for IT development, many of which have been made available both in digital and printed formats.
The agency has actively pursued initiatives aimed at fostering digital skills in educational institutions and underserved regions throughout the country.
By integrating IT knowledge into these areas, the goal is to cultivate human capital and ensure universal access to digital services, ultimately contributing to the creation of a knowledge-based economy.
Moreover, the NITDA, under Inuwa’s stewardship, has established an array of IT Hubs, IT Parks, and Community ICT Centers, which have been outfitted with state-of-the-art facilities across various states within the federation.
Through strategic collaborations with techpreneurs, the agency has provided support to startups, IT hubs, and ecosystem builders via the Nigeria ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship Vision (NIIEV).
As a result, NITDA’s programs have generated significant employment opportunities for Nigerian youths.
Recognizing the importance of nurturing local talent, Inuwa’s visionary leadership led to the establishment of the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR).
This institution is dedicated to driving research, development, and adoption of emerging technologies within Nigeria.
The honorary degree bestowed upon Abdullahi by CMU serves as a momentous acknowledgement of his substantial contributions to the Nigerian information technology sector.
It is a testament to his leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to advancing the country’s digital transformation agenda.
Expressing his gratitude during his acceptance speech, Inuwa thanked CMU for the esteemed recognition and reaffirmed his dedication to fostering the growth of the Nigerian tech industry.
He expressed his deep honour in being acknowledged for his work and vowed to continue his tireless efforts to ensure that Nigeria assumes a prominent role within the global tech space.
“I extend my sincere gratitude to the university, Leaders Without Borders, and my loved ones for their unwavering support. This recognition has inspired me to drive transformative change and make a positive impact in the fields of leadership and management,” remarked Inuwa.
