By Zuwaira Ayitogo
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Research, Technology and Innovation Unit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) are planning to step up efforts to drive digital transformation in Nigeria’s energy sector through a strategic partnership.
The collaboration was the focus of a recent engagement between both organisations, during which they explored ways to leverage emerging technologies to reposition Nigeria’s energy industry.
Speaking during the meeting Tuesday, the NITDA Director-General, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, stressed the need for NNPC to move away from a traditional dependence on the “exploitation” of oil and gas resources and adopt a more innovative approach centred on the “exploration” of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and robotics.
Mallam Abdullahi said information technology had become a critical enabler across sectors, noting that innovation would play a major role in shaping the future of energy production, efficiency, and sustainability in Nigeria.
Abdullahi outlined NITDA’s strategic priorities, which include promoting digital literacy, nurturing local talent, strengthening research ecosystems, and advancing indigenous technology solutions. According to him, reducing reliance on foreign technologies while encouraging homegrown innovation was essential to achieving digital sovereignty and sustainable economic growth.
The NITDA boss also disclosed that the Agency would be supporting NNPC in building a stronger innovation channel that could link the company with Nigeria’s growing startup ecosystem. He said startups would be encouraged, through incubation programmes and innovation challenges, to develop practical solutions tailored to the oil and gas industry.
The engagement further highlighted NITDA’s initiatives aimed at fostering innovation among young Nigerians, including National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, many of whom are already developing solutions to real-world challenges through the Agency’s programmes.
Earlier, Director of NNPC RTI, Olatomiwa Olaniyi, said the visit was aimed at co-creating solutions and building a formidable partnership framework to accelerate innovation across the energy value chain.
Mr. Olaniyi emphasised that collaboration among government agencies, industry players, and the technological ecosystem was critical to achieving sustainable innovation.
Presenting the mandate of the RTI Unit, he said its focus was on driving excellence through innovation to improve operational efficiency, boost revenue generation, and support sustainable growth across NNPC’s business areas, including upstream, gas, power, and new energy.
He added that the unit operated a structured innovation framework built around strengthening research capabilities, developing prototypes, fostering strategic partnerships, attracting talent, and promoting a culture of continuous innovation.
Both organisations underscored the importance of enabling policies and regulatory frameworks in driving innovation. Abdullahi noted that effective implementation of the Nigerian Startup Act would be key to supporting emerging technology ventures and scaling ideas into commercially viable solutions.
The partnership is expected to strengthen the role of technology and innovation as drivers of efficiency, diversification, and sustainable growth in Nigeria’s energy sector.
