NITDA DG Calls for Transition from Certificate Economy to Capability Economy

NITDA DG Calls for Transition from Certificate Economy to Capability Economy

ALIMOTU SHADIAT

The Director, Special Duties Department, Dr Aristotle Onumo (2nd right), delivering the keynote address on behalf of the DG at the Red Chamber of the FUNAAB Senate Building at FUNNAB, Abeokuta in Ogun State during the 3rd International Biennial COLPHYS 2026

In alignment with the presidential agenda of Reforming the Economy for Sustained Inclusive Growth, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, has called for a fundamental shift in Nigeria’s education system from an economy that places primary emphasis on academic certificates to one that prioritises practical capabilities, innovation, and the ability to translate knowledge into solutions that drive national development.

The DG, who was represented by the agency’s Director of the Special Duties Department, Dr Aristotle Onumo, made this call while delivering the keynote address at the 3rd International Biennial Conference of the College of Physical Sciences (COLPHYS 2026) at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State.

Speaking on the theme, “From Scientific Discovery to National Prosperity: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence and Convergent Innovation to Transform Nigeria,” he emphasised the need for universities to move beyond the traditional boundaries of academic disciplines and embrace collaborative research, emerging technologies, and practical problem-solving.

Addressing the university community, researchers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and students, Inuwa noted that Nigeria’s development would depend not merely on the volume of research produced or the number of academic publications generated, but on the country’s ability to convert scientific knowledge into productive enterprises, innovative solutions, improved public services, and better livelihoods.

“The future of our country will not be determined simply by how much research we produce. It will be determined by how effectively we convert research into productivity, innovation, enterprise and national prosperity,” he stated.

Group photo of DG NITDA represented by Director, Special Duties department, Dr Aristotle Onumo (middle) alongside management staff of thr university during the 3rd International Biennial COLPHYS 2026

He explained that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly enabling convergence across disciplines such as agriculture, healthcare, environmental science, mathematics, engineering, and data science, creating opportunities to address complex national challenges through multidisciplinary collaboration.

According to him, AI should complement human expertise and strengthen scientific discovery rather than replace researchers or diminish the importance of human judgment.

While stressing that the real value of technological advancement lies in its practical application to improve human lives, the DG said, “AI does not replace science. It amplifies science.”

Using agriculture as an example, he illustrated how integrating agricultural science, satellite imagery, climate modelling, Internet of Things sensors, and AI could help farmers improve planting decisions, detect crop diseases, optimise irrigation, reduce input waste, and access better market information.

He, however, cautioned that innovations must be designed around Nigeria’s realities, including local languages, affordability, limited connectivity, and the specific needs of the people expected to use them.

He similarly highlighted opportunities for AI-enabled solutions in healthcare and climate resilience, including improved disease surveillance, clinical decision support, flood-risk prediction, and early-warning systems. He maintained that such technologies must be responsibly deployed, with appropriate safeguards for data privacy, accountability, fairness, and public trust.

Inuwa reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s digital transformation ecosystem through digital literacy, talent development, digital infrastructure, innovation, and responsible technology adoption. He referenced the Agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF), the Digital Literacy for All initiative (DL4ALL), and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme as key efforts supporting the development of the skills and capabilities required for a technology-driven economy.

He also highlighted the importance of expanding access to reliable connectivity and research infrastructure, noting that scientific institutions need suitable computing resources, quality datasets, secure cloud environments, and dependable electricity to compete effectively and develop locally relevant innovations. He called for stronger partnerships among government, academia, industry, investors, and entrepreneurs to create pathways through which promising research can be validated, commercialised, and deployed at scale.

Turning specifically to higher education institutions, the NITDA DG urged universities to redefine how they measure academic and institutional success by placing greater emphasis on research impact, collaborative problem-solving, entrepreneurship, and the development of graduates capable of creating opportunities rather than merely seeking existing jobs.

“The university of the future cannot remain merely a place where knowledge is transmitted, and certificates are awarded. It must become a place where problems are investigated, solutions are developed, enterprises are created, and society is transformed,” he said.

He encouraged universities to strengthen technology transfer mechanisms, establish more effective research-industry partnerships, expand entrepreneurship education, and connect innovation hubs to real market and community needs. He further challenged researchers to consider how their discoveries could progress from academic publications to working prototypes, field-tested solutions, and sustainable products or services that address pressing national challenges.

Speaking directly to students, Inuwa emphasised that academic qualifications remain important but must be complemented by relevant competencies, including digital and AI literacy, critical thinking, communication, teamwork, ethical judgment, and the capacity to solve practical problems.

“Your certificate may open the door, but your capability will determine how far you go,” he remarked, urging students to use emerging technologies not merely to reproduce existing knowledge but to investigate difficult questions, discover new possibilities, and develop solutions to problems affecting their communities.

As part of his challenge to FUNAAB and its partners, the DG proposed a practical 12-month innovation agenda aimed at translating conference deliberations into measurable outcomes. He urged the College of Physical Sciences to identify a select number of high-impact national challenges within the first 90 days, establish collaborative research teams and begin developing prototypes within six months, test promising solutions with relevant communities and industry partners within nine months, and organise a research-to-impact showcase within 12 months.

He stressed that the proposed agenda should be assessed through tangible outcomes, including validated prototypes, effective partnerships, commercialisation opportunities, and measurable benefits to society, rather than speeches and presentations alone. He also encouraged the conference organisers to build on the technical sessions and proposal-writing workshop to develop fundable, collaborative research projects.

Inuwa expressed NITDA’s openness to exploring structured, mandate-aligned collaboration with academic and research institutions, particularly in areas that advance digital skills, responsible AI, indigenous innovation, and practical applications of emerging technologies. He maintained, however, that successful partnerships must begin with clearly defined problems and credible implementation plans.

He challenged researchers, university leaders, and students to reflect on the problems their research would solve, the lives their innovations would improve, and the benefits Nigeria would derive from translating knowledge into action.

“Let this conference be remembered not merely as another gathering of brilliant minds, but as a turning point where we resolved to convert the power of science into the prosperity of our nation,” he concluded.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, Professor Olusola Babatunde, who was represented at the event by the Dean of the College of Environmental Resources Management (COLERM), Professor Olusegun Oguntoke, applauded NITDA for its remarkable contribution to the advancement of digital transformation in the country and appealed for the establishment of an Information Technology (IT) Hub at the university.

He emphasised the importance of such a facility in strengthening the institution’s digital capacity, supporting research and innovation, and providing an enabling environment for students and researchers to develop practical technology-driven solutions.