The National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, has called on Nigerian government institutions to give greater consideration to homegrown digital solutions when procuring technology, arguing that public spending should help strengthen the country’s own technology ecosystem.
NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, made the call at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Speaking during a session titled “Nigeria First, Procurement Last: How E-commerce is Rewriting Contracts”, Inuwa said public procurement should be treated as more than an administrative exercise. In his view, government purchasing decisions can play an important role in building stronger public institutions and supporting the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.
The NITDA chief specifically encouraged public institutions to reduce their dependence on off-the-shelf software and consider digital products designed around Nigeria’s operational realities.
For me, the most important part of the message is not simply the preference for Nigerian-made technology. It is the argument that government technology spending should produce wider value for the country.
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NITDA Reviews ₦4.24 Trillion in Government IT Projects
The scale of government technology procurement makes the issue particularly important.
According to Inuwa, NITDA reviewed 1,092 information technology project proposals submitted by 326 Ministries, Departments and Agencies between July 2023 and July 2026. The projects had a combined value of more than ₦4.24 trillion.
Of those proposals, 1,056 projects valued at approximately ₦3.84 trillion were cleared by the agency.
These figures provide a useful picture of the amount of money being committed to technology across Nigeria’s public sector. If more of that expenditure creates opportunities for capable Nigerian technology companies, the impact could extend beyond the immediate government projects.
Local software developers, cybersecurity companies, technology consultants, systems integrators and other digital professionals could benefit from a procurement environment that gives qualified Nigerian businesses a stronger opportunity to compete.
NITDA is also strengthening its IT Project Clearance Framework and software assurance protocols to ensure that proposed technology projects meet appropriate standards and deliver measurable results.
That distinction matters. Supporting indigenous technology should not mean awarding contracts simply because a company is Nigerian. Local solutions still need to demonstrate security, reliability, scalability, value for money and the ability to solve the problem for which they are being purchased.
Why Nigeria’s Homegrown Technology Push Matters
Nigeria’s technology sector has grown significantly over the years, producing companies and professionals capable of developing solutions for financial services, payments, commerce, healthcare, education and other sectors.
NITDA has also previously stressed the importance of digital solutions in improving government service delivery. The agency has described technology adoption as an important part of modernising public institutions and improving how citizens interact with government services.
The argument for homegrown technology is therefore not that foreign products have no place in Nigeria. International technology companies can provide highly capable products and services, particularly where local alternatives do not yet meet specific requirements.
The bigger question is whether government agencies properly assess what they are buying and whether the procurement process gives competent Nigerian companies a fair chance to provide alternatives.
Locally developed technology can also be designed with Nigerian realities in mind. Issues around local regulations, infrastructure, payment systems, public-sector workflows, data management and the country’s diverse operating environment can be considered from the beginning.
If government becomes a major customer for capable indigenous technology firms, that could also help these businesses develop products that eventually compete beyond Nigeria.
The potential economic effect is significant. Government contracts can provide technology companies with revenue, experience, institutional credibility and opportunities to improve their products.
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Back Story: NITDA’s Push for Indigenous Digital Innovation
NITDA’s latest call forms part of a broader effort to increase the role of indigenous technology in Nigeria’s digital transformation.
The agency has consistently promoted the development and adoption of local digital solutions while encouraging public institutions to use technology to improve efficiency and service delivery.
In recent years, NITDA has also expanded its work around artificial intelligence, digital skills, cybersecurity and innovation. Its wider approach reflects an attempt to build an ecosystem where Nigerian professionals and technology companies can contribute to solving domestic challenges.
The latest “Nigeria First” message now puts public procurement at the centre of that conversation.
With trillions of naira in government IT projects being reviewed, procurement decisions could influence which companies grow, which technologies receive investment and how much expertise remains within Nigeria.
Ultimately, the success of the policy will depend on implementation. Government agencies will need to maintain transparent competition and high technical standards while ensuring that capable Nigerian companies are not automatically overlooked for foreign alternatives.
For Nigeria, the opportunity is straightforward: government technology spending should not only buy systems that work today. It should also help build the local skills, businesses and digital capacity needed for tomorrow.
