Nigeria: NITDA Advances Digital Sovereignty Drive with Expanded Software Infrastructure

Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is intensifying efforts to strengthen data governance and scale national software infrastructure, as part of a broader strategy to secure critical systems and build digital sovereignty.

The initiative centres on developing robust regulatory frameworks and enhancing digital infrastructure to improve integration across public and private sectors, while ensuring that data generated within Nigeria remains under local control.

Speaking during an engagement with Ericsson executives at GITEX Africa, NITDA’s Director-General emphasised that the country’s approach is focused on long-term technological independence rather than geopolitical alignment.

He noted that Nigeria is prioritising capacity building in software development and system integration through high-standard regulatory policies. According to him, the goal is not to exclude global technology players, but to foster structured collaboration that delivers local value.

“We are not shutting out global providers,” he said. “We want them to partner locally, contribute to the ecosystem, and ensure that value is created and retained within Africa.”

The agency’s strategy aligns with emerging global trends around digital sovereignty, drawing parallels with frameworks such as the Digital Markets Act, Digital Services Act, and Data Governance Act, which aim to regulate digital markets and protect data.

NITDA also highlighted that Nigeria already recognises digital infrastructure as critical national infrastructure under existing executive directives. However, it cautioned that achieving full digital sovereignty will require sustained investment and time.

A key pillar of the policy direction is safeguarding locally generated data while building domestic capabilities in digital intelligence and innovation. The agency stressed the importance of ensuring that Nigeria participates actively in value creation, rather than remaining a passive consumer of global technologies.

The push also reflects broader concerns about historical imbalances in global industrial development, with policymakers seeking to avoid a repeat of past cycles where Africa contributed resources without capturing commensurate value.

On the industry side, Ericsson reaffirmed its long-standing role in Nigeria’s telecoms ecosystem, noting its contributions from early-generation networks through to 5G deployment. The company also outlined ongoing collaboration with the Nigerian government, including initiatives focused on innovation hubs, digital skills development, and national hackathons.

Stakeholders at the engagement emphasised that strengthening digital infrastructure, fostering partnerships, and maintaining a diversified technology ecosystem will be critical to ensuring resilience and competitiveness in Nigeria’s evolving digital economy.