In a significant move aimed at deepening Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, on Tuesday received Jeff Bullwinkel, Microsoft’s Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for Corporate, External, and Legal Affairs in Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), at the agency’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.
The high-level courtesy visit underscored Microsoft’s sustained commitment to Nigeria’s evolving digital economy and reinforced the ongoing collaboration between the global tech giant and the federal government through NITDA. Discussions during the meeting centered on advancing digital inclusion, promoting cybersecurity awareness, supporting policy frameworks, and exploring capacity-building initiatives aligned with Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS 2020–2030).
Speaking during the engagement, Kashifu Inuwa emphasized NITDA’s resolve to create an enabling regulatory environment that fosters innovation and strategic investment in the country’s technology ecosystem. He noted that partnerships with global leaders like Microsoft are essential to equipping Nigerian talents with the digital skills required for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Inuwa added that the agency has prioritized initiatives such as digital literacy, local content development, tech startup support, and the Smart Nigeria initiative — all of which align with Microsoft’s regional goals of digital empowerment and inclusive growth.
On his part, Jeff Bullwinkel commended NITDA’s forward-thinking policies and reaffirmed Microsoft’s readiness to support Nigeria in building a resilient and inclusive digital future. He highlighted the tech company’s investments in cloud services, data privacy, digital skills training, and cybersecurity frameworks as part of its broader corporate responsibility and engagement across Africa.
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to deepen dialogue and explore strategic projects that will bridge Nigeria’s digital divide while reinforcing regulatory trust and innovation-led economic growth.
This visit marks yet another step in the ongoing collaboration between the Nigerian government and multinational technology firms, as the country positions itself as a digital hub within sub-Saharan Africa.
