The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has underscored the urgency of collaboration between government institutions and emerging startups, warning that Nigeria’s digital innovation drive could stall without deliberate joint action.
Speaking at the Nigerian Satellite Week 2026 in Abuja, themed “Harnessing Space Technology for an Extraordinary Nigeria,” Inuwa urged stakeholders to embrace partnerships as the engine of transformation.
“Take a good step, and you can make a difference,” he said, stressing the need to translate ideas into tangible outcomes through collective effort.
Represented by the Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, Aristotle Onumo, the NITDA boss, in a presentation titled “Enhancing collaboration between government agencies and emerging start-ups,” outlined four guiding principles: enabling the ecosystem rather than controlling it; prioritising networks over institutions; developing talent while supporting innovation and adopting practical solutions; and focusing on platforms rather than isolated projects.
To illustrate the transformative power of digital innovation, Inuwa shared the story of a rural farmer whose productivity challenges—from unstable rents to failed loans—were resolved through access to digital tools and networks. He noted that such incremental interventions can scale into broader economic gains, ultimately contributing to national infrastructure like satellite systems.
“This is the power of space technology, and it shows why events like this are so important,” he said.
Highlighting the shifting dynamics of the space ecosystem, Inuwa observed that startups are increasingly driving innovation across telecommunications, navigation, security, and cloud services. He noted that a sector once dominated by global superpowers is fast becoming a key economic driver, with Nigeria’s “Sunrise Packet” projected to contribute over $1.5 billion to the economy by 2030.
“Innovation without adoption is wasted,” he added, emphasising the government’s role in enabling startups to scale through supportive policies, infrastructure, and incentives.
According to him, developmental regulation must prioritise market creation, ecosystem orchestration, and public value delivery rather than stifling innovation. He pointed to initiatives such as the Digital Start-Up Act, Idea Hatch, and the National Digital Leadership Programme as critical levers to empower young innovators and connect them to global opportunities.
He also highlighted platforms like GITEX Africa, GITEX Nigeria, and Digital Nigeria as key avenues for visibility, investment, partnerships, and mentorship.
“If we are going to create a digital Nigeria, we must collaborate,” Inuwa said.
Also speaking, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, described Nigeria’s satellite infrastructure as central to the country’s digital future.
“Nigeria is the only West African country with its own satellite. NigComSat provides critical connectivity and resilience, benefiting not just Nigeria but the entire region,” he said.
Tijani disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the acquisition of NigComSat-2A and NigComSat-2B to boost the nation’s space capabilities.
He stressed, however, that infrastructure alone is not enough.
“What truly matters is how we leverage this technology to improve agriculture, education, security, and business operations,” he said.
The Minister further revealed that the Federal Government is investing ₦12 billion in a digital economy research cluster under Project Bridge, alongside plans to expand Nigeria’s digital backbone with 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables, nearly 4,000 telecom towers in underserved areas, and new satellite deployments to strengthen regional connectivity across Cameroon, Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso, and the Republic of Benin.
“The talent, ideas, and energy are all here in Nigeria. It is up to us to turn them into real outcomes for our people and the economy,” Tijani added.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, Jane Nkechi Egerton-Ideyen, said Nigeria’s space programme is entering a new phase of deliberate and focused growth.
She revealed that the agency’s revenue surged from less than $650 million in 2023 to over $2 billion in 2025, driven by reforms, new commercial deals, and rising demand for satellite broadband services across Africa.
Egerton-Ideyen added that Nigeria has launched seven space assets in just over two decades and is shifting from prestige-driven projects to practical outcomes that enhance connectivity, improve livelihoods, and promote inclusive development.
She also disclosed that more than 500 young Nigerians were trained in satellite technology within the past year, while over 50 startups benefited from NIGCOMSAT’s accelerator programme.
The Nigerian Satellite Week continues to serve as a strategic platform for collaboration among government, startups, academia, and the private sector, reinforcing Nigeria’s push to lead Africa’s digital and space economy.