When Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the United States on data privacy, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and capacity building, many did not realise that the vision behind this initiative was to create a secure and trusted digital ecosystem.Speaking at the Nigeria Data Privacy Capacity Building Workshop organised by the U.S. Department of State, in collaboration with the Nigerian Mission and key stakeholders in the digital ecosystem.
Inuwa stressed that his vision for a vibrant digital economy in Nigeria is part of a deliberate and ongoing effort to address emerging digital challenges and seize opportunities in the rapidly evolving technology landscape. The Director-General recalled that in April 2024, both nations, through the U.S.–Nigeria Binational Commission, agreed to collaborate on critical areas, including data privacy, AI, cybersecurity, and broader digital development. He noted that this partnership has already yielded tangible outcomes, such as the co-hosting of an Artificial Intelligence Conference by the Federal Government and the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, along with technical engagements with U.S. cybersecurity firms.Inuwa emphasised that NITDA’s focus on data privacy, AI, and cybersecurity is aimed at building trust in the digital ecosystem.
He described trust as a crucial driver of digital transformation. According to him, a lack of trust hinders innovation and raises costs, while a strong foundation of trust accelerates progress and lowers barriers to growth. He asserted that establishing a robust digital economy requires deliberate efforts to protect data privacy, strengthen security frameworks, and implement AI responsibly.
“This is not a new initiative but part of a growing and deliberate effort by both countries to jointly address emerging digital challenges and opportunities,” he said.
Meet Him
Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi is one of Nigeria’s most transformative technology leaders. His journey from humble beginnings to the helm of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) reflects not only personal ambition but also a deep commitment to building a digital Nigeria. Today, as Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu is
recognised as a pivotal figure in steering the country’s digital economy strategy. Yet the story of how he got there begins long before federal appointments and national initiatives. His desire to turn Nigeria’s digital economy around has continued to fuel his calls for adequate attention towards technology in the country.
Early Life and Academic Foundations
Born on 21 February 1980 and hails from the Hadejia Local Government Area of Jigawa State, north-western Nigeria. His father, the late Mallam Inuwa Abdullahi, was a respected agro-businessman, while his mother, Hajiya Maryam Yuguda, was a diligent local trader in gold and women’s fabric products in the 1980s to date.
“Kashifu has always been quiet, intelligent and focused. He was different, and he liked taking on complex tasks and solving them. You could very well describe him as a dutiful, quiet problem solver,” says Mallam Isa Balami, a community leader and one of Kashifu’sformer elementary school teachers.
He attended Hudu Primary School in Hadejia between 1986 and 1991. Upon completion, he went on to secondary school, the School for Arabic and Islamic Studies (SAIS) in Jigawa, from 1991 to 1992, before moving to GSS Fantai from 1992 to 1994 to complete his junior secondary school. He completed his senior secondary education at SSS Kafin Hausa between 1994 and 1997. At SSS Kafin Hausa, he served as a prefect, responsible for maintaining order and leading his peers. His teacher, Hajiya Sabuwa Shehu, explains that Kashifu was always hands-on and reliable. Speaking in Hausa, she said, “Kashifu has always been a reliable and responsible leader. In secondary school, we could rely on him to get work done. He was someone his peers respected and looked up to. He had no time for youthful exuberance. If you were looking for Kashifu, you would find him in class studying or in the mosque carrying out an assignment or another.”
An early and recognisable love for solving problems
Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi is a problem solver and solutions architect, traits he exhibited even as a young child. One of his classmates at SSS Kafin Hausa, Dr Abubakar Habib, reports on his own experience of Kashifu’s humility and knack for solving problems. “Kashifu had ways he leveraged to impact his colleagues. As peers, we looked up to him for his blunt advice, and he served as a mentor to our younger students. He focused on solving problems and creating solutions to even minor issues faced by staff and students at school. He was also one to ask difficult questions and had a burning curiosity that was eager to solve problems. He was the best student in General Mathematics, Further Math and Physics”
Speaking in an interview, Dr Habib recalls Kashifu’s early dedication to education and community initiatives. “From a young age, he showed a keen interest in unravelling, a curiosity that would eventually shape his academic and professional trajectory in technology. At ATBU, he was one of the top amongst his peers, one who became a computer scientist par excellence.
ATBU Bauchi: The gateway to Technology.
In 1998, Kashifu pursued higher education at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science in 2003. His time at ATBU proved formative, providing him with both theoretical knowledge and practical skillsin computing, an essential foundation for his future career in IT and technology strategy.
The degree in Computer Science also equipped him with a deep understanding of systems design, networking, and software fundamentals, all of which would underpin his early professional work and his eventual career as the leader of Nigeria’s top tech regulator and agency, NITDA.
