WorldStage– In a decisive push toward data-driven policymaking, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has convened key stakeholders to validate a comprehensive framework designed to systematically measure, analyse, and maximise the impact of digital technologies on Nigeria’s rapidly evolving economy.
The initiative was formally launched at the Stakeholder Engagement and Validation Workshop on the Indicators and Measurement Framework for the National Research Study on the Impact of Digital Technologies on Nigeria’s Economy: Key Growth Indicators, Gaps and Future Outlook. Hosted at the e-Government Training Centre of the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN) in Abuja.
The workshop brought together representatives from government institutions, regulatory agencies, academia, the private sector, development partners, and the research community. Their objective was to finalise the framework that will guide a nationwide assessment of Nigeria’s digital economy.
Delivering the welcome address, the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, represented by the Director of the Special Duties Unit, Mr. Olawumi Oladejo, said building a globally competitive digital economy requires more than deploying technology.
He stressed that reliable evidence, credible data, and strong institutional collaboration are essential for sustainable digital transformation.
He noted that Nigeria has recorded significant progress in digital payments, broadband expansion, digital public services, innovation ecosystems, and digital entrepreneurship.
However, he observed that without a harmonised national measurement framework, it remains difficult to accurately assess the impact of these investments, identify existing gaps, and prioritise future interventions.
Inuwa explained that the National Research Study is designed to establish a credible evidence base for understanding how digital technologies contribute to economic growth, employment, innovation, financial inclusion, improved public service delivery, and national competitiveness. He added that the study would also establish a common national framework for measuring digital transformation across sectors and institutions.
He further noted that the initiative aligns with NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), particularly its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s technology research ecosystem through data-driven policymaking. He urged stakeholders to contribute their expertise to ensure that the framework is technically sound, practically applicable, globally accepted, and aligned with international best practices.
Also speaking at the opening ceremony, the Chairman of the Technical Steering Committee and Director of Research and Development at NITDA, Dr. Saidu Kumo, said that while Nigeria’s digital economy is expanding at an unprecedented pace, the country’s capacity to systematically measure its impact on productivity, economic growth, and social inclusion has not kept pace.
