Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, a visionary leader, was born on February 21, 1980. He graduated with a degree in Computer Science from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. Abdullahi is Nigeria’s first Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) in the public sector and is also a strategist trained at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management.
With 15 years of experience in IT operations, business transformation, and solution architecture across both the private and public sectors, he has become a leading figure in the industry. Abdullahi has attended leadership and management courses at prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, the University of Cambridge, and IMD Business School in Switzerland.
He is a Certified Project Manager and Solution Architect, with numerous professional certifications in networking, telecommunications, service management, and solution design. Additionally, he is a member of both the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) and the British Computer Society (BCS).
Abdullahi worked for nine years (2004–2013) at Galaxy Backbone, where he held several key roles, including Network Engineer, IP Network Field Engineer, Senior Network & Lead, IP Operations Team, and Senior Solution Architect & Lead, Technical Solution Design.
In 2014, Abdullahi joined the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as a Technology Architect. There, he developed a Technology Architecture Repository that provided a 360-degree view of the Bank’s IT infrastructure, facilitating decision-making on new IT investments.
He was part of a team that executed software license rationalization, which significantly reduced costs for the bank’s license annual subscriptions. He also played a vital role in developing IT standards that reduced the time it took to deploy and integrate new systems by over 20%. One of his most notable achievements as Technology Architect was the creation of seven solution architectures for critical IT initiatives, which contributed to achieving Nigeria’s cashless society goals.
In 2017, Abdullahi joined NITDA as Technical Assistant to the then Director General/CEO, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami. As the IT regulatory body mandated to implement the National ICT Policy, Abdullahi managed the execution of strategies that increased ICT’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP by over 13% in Q2 2018.
He also coordinated local content initiatives that boosted ICT local production by more than 200% in 2017. In 2019, former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Kashifu Abdullahi as the Director General of NITDA, building upon the achievements of the previous DG, Dr. Isa Pantami, who had become the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.
Since assuming the role of DG/CEO, Abdullahi has led several strategic initiatives aimed at advancing Nigeria’s ICT ecosystem. Under his leadership, NITDA has successfully implemented numerous projects and initiatives to promote digital inclusion, drive innovation, create jobs, and improve access to critical IT infrastructure across Nigeria.
His focus on skills development has led to the upskilling and reskilling of over 1.5 million Nigerians across various disciplines. Additionally, Abdullahi has played a key role in formulating critical policy frameworks guiding government interventions in the IT ecosystem.
His leadership has resulted in significant achievements in information security and digital innovation. Under his tenure, NITDA earned ISO 27001:2013 certification, showcasing his commitment to high standards in data management.
He also promoted Nigerian content in IT through improved ICT goods and services and worked to bridge the digital divide by deploying 320 digital economy centers. These efforts have empowered citizens with digital resources and attracted US$4.04 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), reflecting international confidence in Nigeria’s digital future under Abdullahi’s leadership.
He also unveiled the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), a special-purpose vehicle (SPV) aimed at inspiring innovative solutions to domestic challenges, supporting idea incubation, and creating an enabling environment for startups.
Through ONDI, 758 startups were supported, collaborating with international partners such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Next Innovation with Japan (NINJA) Acceleration Program, Bridge to Mass Challenge Nigeria Program, and the Idea Hatch (iHatch) Incubation Program.
ONDI supported 143 startups through various means, including the facilitation of 50 million grants to six startups, US$15,000 each to three startups, seed funding for 12 startups, and the sponsorship of 51 startups to global tech events.
Furthermore, the agency facilitated the acceleration and incubation of 46 startups and trained over 370 innovators in building viable tech businesses.
To promote emerging technologies in Nigeria, NITDA established the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), another SPV aimed at advancing research and practical applications in cutting-edge technologies.
The NCAIR has trained over 1,250 youths across Nigeria, serving as a bridge between developmental regulation and rapid innovation while fostering a dynamic digital economy.
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Under Abdullahi’s leadership, NITDA deployed 601 digital infrastructures, including Digital Economy Centres, e-Learning facilities, IT hubs, and innovation parks nationwide. The Computer Emergency Response and Readiness Centre (CERRC) was also upgraded to enhance cybersecurity, protecting Federal Public Institutions (FPIs) from cyber threats.
Additionally, Abdullahi oversaw the deployment of the National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) to improve online safety and secure electronic transactions. NITDA also launched the first digital Fabrication Laboratory (FabLab 1.0) in Nigeria, providing facilities for innovators to build digital products.
Through the IT Projects Clearance process, Abdullahi’s leadership has cleared 823 IT projects from 336 Federal MDAs, resulting in cost savings of 306 billion for the Federal Government of Nigeria.
In 2021, NITDA unveiled its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2021–2024), anchored on seven strategic pillars to support the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS). The ongoing implementation of the 64 strategic initiatives under SRAP has significantly contributed to the ICT sector’s impact on the Nigerian economy. NITDA’s strategic engagement with stakeholders and implementation of SRAP initiatives has made Nigeria the leading destination for FDI in African startups, attracting about US$3.8 billion, representing 35% of all FDI into African startups from 2019.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, NITDA, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (now known as the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy), set up the Tech4COVID Committee to develop strategies that cushioned the pandemic’s impact. The committee deployed various digital technologies to ensure that the Federal Government continued its operations. Their efforts led to the retention of over 100,000 ICT jobs and the creation of 30,000 additional jobs in the post-COVID era. The NDPR compliance drive also created 7,680 jobs, generating a market valued at N1.2 billion.
The Agency also organized an innovation challenge to help organizations develop ideas for industrial market applications. As a result, three promising ideas were identified. The first is an app that allows users to consult physicians online for prescriptions or referrals to a lab for tests. The second is a ventilator designed to address the shortage of such equipment. The third is a tunnel developed to decontaminate people from the virus. These innovations were achieved in collaboration with partners, including the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and included the provision of seed funding to startups.
Furthermore, the implementation of the Agency’s National Adopted Village for Smart Agriculture (NAVSA) initiative has engaged 900 farmers and created over 5,000 direct and indirect jobs. The initiative targets the engagement of 10 million farmers across the agricultural value chain by 2030.
The Agency also developed the National Outsourcing Strategy, aimed at delivering one million jobs by 2025, contributing to the employment of 16,540 Nigerians. The Business Process Outsourcing market in Nigeria is estimated at US$286.8 million, according to Africa Global Business Services (GBS).
In terms of digital talent development, NITDA has committed to conducting an IT Talent Gap Assessment among Nigeria’s youth population to accelerate tech talent development and position Nigeria as a global IT talent hub. In line with the Federal Government’s social investment initiative, the Agency launched the “1 Million Software Developer” initiative, with 215,524 Nigerians having completed or currently undergoing capacity-building programs. Additionally, various multi-sectoral capacity-building programs were launched to promote digital literacy, with a total of 823,814 Nigerians trained to date.
Another significant achievement under Kashifu Abdullahi’s leadership is the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to host the world’s largest technology fair, GITEX, in Nigeria for the first time in 2025. The agreement was signed by Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi and Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International, the organizers of GITEX. Abdullahi expressed that “Bringing GITEX to Nigeria will introduce the experience of the best tech conference to our country.”
To advance Nigeria’s digital transformation, NITDA also signed an MOU with CISCO on the Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) Programme, a global initiative that partners with government and private sector leaders to develop sustainable, secure, and inclusive communities powered by ethical and innovative technology solutions. This partnership aims to unlock the value of digitalization in Nigeria and foster an inclusive future. The MOU was signed by DG NITDA and Senior Director of the Cisco CDA Programme, Clayton Naidoo, at NITDA HQ.
In alignment with President Tinubu’s agenda to diversify Nigeria’s economy through technological innovation, NITDA also signed an MOU with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN). This MOU, signed by DG NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, and DG SMEDAN, Charles Odii, seeks to implement the Start-Up Act to promote SME growth and sustainability in Nigeria. Through this collaboration, SMEs will have access to funding, mentorship, and other forms of support to help them thrive.
For his outstanding performance and achievements in his first four years at NITDA, Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari reappointed Abdullahi as the Agency’s Director-General in February 2023. Confirming the re-appointment, President Buhari, who had directed the evaluation of several parastatals under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, said: “The performance evaluation report submitted to me shows outstanding performance by NITDA, particularly in various areas of the Agency’s mandate. Based on NITDA’s impressive performance, I have approved the re-appointment of Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi as Director-General for a second term, from 2023 to 2027.”
When the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came into office and appointed a new cabinet, Abdullahi was once again re-appointed as Director-General of NITDA. This re-appointment is a testament to his outstanding leadership, expertise, and experience, under whose guidance NITDA has transformed Nigeria’s ICT sector, contributing to increased GDP, job creation, and economic diversification.
For his diligence, hard work, and commitment, Abdullahi has received numerous awards and recognitions. These include the Outstanding Corporate Governance CEO Award by Forbes Foreign Investment Network, the African Achievers Award from the Board of Trustees of the African Achievers Award London UK, the National Productivity Order of Merit Award conferred by President Muhammadu Buhari, the 2020 Special Award for Driving ICT Development in Nigeria by the Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA), and the African Leadership Commendation Award from African Leadership Magazine.
Kashifu Abdullahi is often described as a “transformational leader with key competencies that cut across growth management, policy formulation, solutions architecture, resource mobilization, and strategy implementation.” He is also regarded as a “versatile technocrat and professional strategist with a proven track record of excellence in leadership and administration.”
