Nigeria Must Dump Certificate Economy for Skills, Innovation..... Says NITDA DG

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

"AI should complement human expertise and enhance scientific discovery rather than replace researchers or undermine human judgment." Inuwa

.... Says “AI does not replace science. It amplifies science.” 

The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has called for a fundamental shift from Nigeria’s certificate-driven economy to one that prioritises practical skills, innovation and the application of knowledge to solve national challenges.

Inuwa said the country’s economic transformation would depend largely on its ability to translate scientific research into productive enterprises, innovative solutions, improved public services and better livelihoods.

He made the 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.

Represented by NITDA’s Director of Special Duties Department, Dr Aristotle Onumo, the DG spoke on the theme, “From Scientific Discovery to National Prosperity: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence and Convergent Innovation to Transform Nigeria.”

He urged universities to move beyond traditional academic boundaries and embrace multidisciplinary research, emerging technologies and practical problem-solving to drive national development.

According to him, Nigeria’s progress should not be measured merely by the volume of research produced or academic publications generated, but by how effectively scientific discoveries are converted into innovations that improve lives.

“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 said.

Inuwa explained that artificial intelligence (AI) was creating opportunities for collaboration across agriculture, healthcare, environmental science, mathematics, engineering and data science, enabling researchers to develop solutions to complex national problems.

He stressed that AI should complement human expertise and enhance scientific discovery rather than replace researchers or undermine human judgment.

“AI does not replace science. It amplifies science,” he stated.

Illustrating the practical benefits of the technology, the DG said combining agricultural science with satellite imagery, climate modelling, Internet of Things sensors and AI could help farmers improve planting decisions, detect crop diseases, optimise irrigation, reduce waste and access better market information.

He, however, cautioned that technological innovations must reflect Nigeria’s realities, including local languages, affordability, poor connectivity and the specific needs of intended users.

He also identified opportunities for AI applications in healthcare and climate resilience, including disease surveillance, clinical decision support, flood-risk prediction and early-warning systems.

Such technologies, he said, must be deployed responsibly, with adequate safeguards for data privacy, accountability, fairness and public trust.

The NITDA boss reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s digital transformation through digital literacy, talent development, digital infrastructure, innovation and responsible technology adoption.

He cited the agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF), Digital Literacy for All initiative (DL4ALL) and 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme as key interventions aimed at equipping Nigerians with the competencies required for a technology-driven economy.

Inuwa further emphasised the need to expand access to reliable connectivity and research infrastructure, noting that scientific institutions required adequate computing resources, quality datasets, secure cloud environments and dependable electricity to compete effectively.

He called for stronger partnerships among government, academia, industry, investors and entrepreneurs to ensure promising research is validated, commercialised and deployed at scale.

Addressing the role of universities in national development, he urged higher institutions to redefine their measures of success by prioritising research impact, collaborative problem-solving, entrepreneurship and the production of graduates capable of creating jobs rather than merely seeking employment.

“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 urged universities to strengthen technology transfer mechanisms, establish effective research-industry partnerships, expand entrepreneurship education and link innovation hubs to market demands and community needs.

The DG also challenged researchers to move beyond academic publications by developing working prototypes, testing solutions in real-world environments and creating sustainable products and services capable of addressing pressing national challenges.

Speaking directly to students, Inuwa said academic qualifications remained important but must be complemented by digital and AI literacy, critical thinking, communication, teamwork, ethical judgment and practical problem-solving skills.

“Your certificate may open the door, but your capability will determine how far you go,” he said.

He encouraged students to deploy emerging technologies to investigate difficult questions, explore new possibilities and develop solutions to challenges affecting their communities.

As part of efforts to translate the conference’s deliberations into measurable results, Inuwa proposed a 12-month innovation agenda for FUNAAB and its partners.

Under the proposal, the College of Physical Sciences is expected to identify selected high-impact national challenges within 90 days, establish collaborative research teams and begin developing prototypes within six months, test promising solutions with communities and industry partners within nine months, and organise a research-to-impact showcase within 12 months.

He said the initiative should be assessed through tangible outcomes, including validated prototypes, effective partnerships, commercialisation opportunities and measurable societal benefits, rather than speeches and presentations alone.

He also urged conference organisers to build on the technical sessions and proposal-writing workshop to develop collaborative research projects capable of attracting funding.

Inuwa expressed NITDA’s readiness to explore structured collaborations with academic and research institutions in areas aligned with its mandate, particularly digital skills, responsible AI, indigenous innovation and practical applications of emerging technologies.

He stressed that successful partnerships must be built around clearly defined problems and credible implementation plans.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, Professor Olusola Babatunde, represented by the Dean of the College of Environmental Resources Management, Professor Olusegun Oguntoke, commended NITDA for its contributions to digital transformation in Nigeria.

He appealed to the agency to establish an Information Technology Hub at the university, noting that the facility would strengthen the institution’s digital capacity, support research and innovation, and provide an enabling environment for students and researchers to develop practical, technology-driven solutions.