NITDA Seeks EU Collaboration for Nigeria's Digital Economy Pursuit

National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has welcomed European Union (EU’s) support towards deepening Nigeria’s digital economy.

Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, NITDA’s director general played host to the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, who were on a courtesy visit to the Agency's Corporate Headquarters in Abuja, during the week.

Ambassador Michel Arrion, leader of the delegation said the purpose of the visit was to familiarise with the agency, having identified NITDA as a key stakeholder in the IT industry in the region.

The Ambassador solicited for NITDA’s presence in receiving and engaging the Vice President of the European Union on issues bothering to climate change, migration, and promoting a digital economy between both regions.

The VP, a former prime minister of Estonia, a country that has achieved 99% implementation of eGovornace is scheduled to arrive Nigeria early next month in preparation for the EU African Economic and Development Summit holding in Ivory Coast.

Ambassador Michel revealed that EU will assist Nigeria to overcome the challenges of Interoperability of data management.

He said “African is a strategic partner of the European Union; Nigeria is a market with a lot of opportunities and less competition due to the size of its population”.

Working together to build a digital economy would be of great advantage, this would boast the capacity of the youths, and limit brain drain affecting Nigerians he added.

Dr Vincent Olatunji, director, Corporate Strategy and Research at NITDA wooed the delegation to partner with the IT ECOWAS Task Force which is being championed by NITDA.