KatsinaTimes | Abuja, April 17, 2026
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) have intensified collaboration to accelerate digital transformation in Nigeria’s energy sector.
The partnership, being driven through NNPC’s Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI) Unit, was the focus of a strategic engagement between the two organisations in Abuja on Friday.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Director of the RTI Unit, Mr Olatomiwa Olaniyi, the Director-General of NITDA, Malam Kashifu Inuwa, said the collaboration would explore the deployment of emerging technologies to reposition the country’s energy industry.
Inuwa stressed the need for NNPC to move beyond traditional reliance on oil and gas exploitation by embracing innovation-driven models.
He said technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and robotics would play a critical role in improving efficiency, sustainability and productivity across the energy value chain.
According to him, information technology has become a key enabler across sectors, adding that innovation will shape the future of energy production in Nigeria.
The NITDA boss outlined the agency’s strategic priorities to include enhancing digital literacy, developing local talent, strengthening research ecosystems and promoting indigenous technology solutions.
He emphasised the importance of reducing dependence on foreign technologies while encouraging homegrown innovation to achieve digital sovereignty and sustainable economic growth.
Inuwa also assured that NITDA would support NNPC in building a strong innovation pipeline by connecting it with Nigeria’s growing startup ecosystem.
He said startups would be engaged through incubation programmes and innovation challenges to develop practical, industry-specific solutions for the oil and gas sector.
He added that NITDA’s initiatives targeting young Nigerians, including members of the National Youth Service Corps, were already yielding innovative solutions to real-world challenges.
Inuwa further highlighted the importance of effective implementation of the Nigerian Startup Act in supporting emerging technology ventures and scaling innovations into viable businesses.
In his remarks, Olaniyi said the engagement aimed at co-creating solutions and establishing a robust framework for innovation across the energy sector.
He noted that collaboration among government agencies, industry stakeholders and the technology ecosystem was essential for driving sustainable innovation.
Olaniyi said the RTI Unit was focused on promoting excellence through innovation, with the goal of improving operational efficiency, boosting revenue generation and supporting sustainable growth across NNPC’s operations, including upstream, gas, power and emerging energy segments.
NAN
