Inuwa Kashifu Abdullahi

Inuwa holds a Bachelor of Technology degree in Computer Science from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi State, Nigeria. He is also a recipient of multiple executive certifications in leadership, innovation, telecommunications, service management, networking and solutions design from top-notch universities including Harvard University, University of Cambridge and Oxford University. Inuwa is an MIT-Sloan strategist trained at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Inuwa has almost two decades of experience in in Information Technology operations, business transformation and solution architecture, across both private and public sectors.[3][4] Prior to becoming Director-General of NITDA, Mr Inuwa worked at Galaxy Backbone Ltd as a senior network engineer before joining the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as a senior technology solutions architect. In 2017, he joined NITDA as a technical Assistant to the then Director-General before being appointed DG in 2019 by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria - Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.

Inuwa is the current DG/CEO of NITDA - the apex Information Technology Regulatory Agency for the Nigerian ICT ecosystem. In this position, he has implemented several strategic initiatives and projects designed to foster digital inclusion, accelerate innovation, create jobs and improve access to critical IT infrastructure across the country.  In Q2 of 2021, it is worthy to note that the ICT sector under his watch contributed 17.92%  to the National GDP and led to Nigeria’s exit from recession. Mr Inuwa is also credited  with saving over 35 Billion Naira (84 million USD) of government funds since 2019 through the design and implementation of the IT clearance initiative across federal parastatals, amongst other achievements.

Key Achievements

• The design, development and implementation of the “Systemic Reform and Development of NITDA” (SRAP- 2021 to 2024)
• Design & Implementation of NITDA Strategic Roadmap & Action Plan (2021 -2024).
• Transforming Nigeria into a Digital Economy through Developmental Regulation:
• Design & Implementation of IT Clearance for government MDAs
• Development of Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) Implementation Framework
• Successful Launch of National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
• Completion of ISO 27001:2013 Certification for NITDA
• Promoting Nigerian Content in IT through Improved ICT Goods and Services
• Bridging the Digital Divide through IT Infrastructure Deployment

Mr Inuwa is a dynamic IT professional and innovation strategist with key competencies that cut across Solutions Architecture, Resource Mobilization and Strategy Implementation. He has amassed nearly 2 decades of corporate experience in the global private/public IT space and is also the first Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) in Nigeria’s public sector. Since his appointment as the DG of NITDA, he has upskilled and reskilled over 1.5 million Nigerians from different walks of life, and is credited with the formulation of critical policy frameworks that guides the Nigerian government’s activities and intervention in the IT ecosystem. In 2019, he oversaw the issuance of endorsement certificates for over 400 Indigenous IT companies and service providers.  He also approved the issuance of licenses to 12 local OEMs and 100+ data protection companies. He was part of the team that developed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Technology Architecture Repository (TAR). He initiated, designed and executed a software license rationalization programme that helped save the Federal Government $5 million on annual licensing & subscriptions for Nigeria’s apex bank.

Inuwa is the recipient of multiple awards and recognition for his achievements in governance, technology and leadership. He remains a role model to several young Nigerians. See an overview of some of his most prestigious awards.

• ICASA Global Inspirational Leadership Award – By ISACA International Professional Association
• 100 Leading Telecom and ICT Personalities in Nigeria - By Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON)
• Pillar of Digital Entrepreneurship Award By Eminent Emerging Entrepreneurs Foundation
• 2020 Most Impactful Director-General – By National Information Reporters Association (NITRA)
• 2020 Special Award for driving ICT development in Nigeria - By Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA).
• 2019 Achievement Award for regulating Data Protection in Nigeria by Data & Knowledge Information Privacy Protection Initiative
• 2019 Icon of Societal Transformation Award by Northern Women Assembly (NOWA)
• 2019 Award of Excellence by the Vice-Chancellor NILE University, Prof. Osman Nuri Aras

During Nigeria’s Twitter suspension, Mr Inuwa led the technical team that had a robust engagement that spurred global digital diplomacy and set a new template for the operations of big tech companies in Nigeria and other developing countries.

Mr Inuwa is a thoroughbred IT professional and solutions architect who is affiliated with notable associations and societies across the globe. He equally holds many professional certifications in telecommunications, service management, networking and solution design. See an overview of his memberships and affiliations below:

• Serving Senator, World Business Angel Forum.

• British Computer Society (BCS)
• Nigerian Computer Society (NCS – 05452)
• IT Service Management (ITSM)
• ISACA
• Project Management Institute (PMI)