During the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, met with Fran Katsoudas, Vice President of Cisco, at the tech giant’s New York office. This meeting marked a significant step in advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda, with a focus on enhancing the country’s cybersecurity and technological infrastructure.
The discussions were centered around reviewing the progress made under the Cisco Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) programme. This initiative is a key driver in fast-tracking Nigeria’s digital transformation, aiming to stimulate economic growth and promote innovation across various sectors. The CDA programme, which is operational in multiple countries, is designed to support national efforts in adopting new technologies, fostering tech ecosystems, and building a future-proof digital economy.
The DG also took the opportunity to explore potential areas for further collaboration, particularly in cybersecurity. In an increasingly digital world, the need for robust cybersecurity frameworks has become more critical. Both parties discussed the role of technology in enhancing national security, protecting digital assets, and building resilient economies.
These efforts align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s *Renewed Hope Agenda*, which places a high priority on sustainable development, economic resilience, and technological advancement. By collaborating with global tech leaders like Cisco, Nigeria is positioning itself to become a leader in the digital economy in Africa.
Speaking on the significance of the collaboration, Kashifu Inuwa emphasized the importance of leveraging technology to create sustainable economic growth. He highlighted the role of public-private partnerships in achieving this goal, noting that innovation and cybersecurity are essential to ensuring that Nigeria remains competitive in the global digital landscape.
Cisco’s Fran Katsoudas echoed this sentiment, reaffirming Cisco’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in its journey towards a digitally empowered economy. She praised the progress made under the CDA programme and expressed enthusiasm for the future of Cisco’s collaboration with NITDA, particularly in addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by digital transformation.
As Nigeria continues to embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the partnership between NITDA and Cisco is expected to play a vital role in shaping the country’s digital future, driving innovation, and enhancing national cybersecurity.
