NITDA Hosts Tanzanian Command and Staff College on Study Tour

The Tanzanian Command and Staff College Course 39/24 on Tuesday visited the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) as part of a study tour aimed at fostering knowledge exchange and comparative analysis between Tanzania and Nigeria in the area of digital technology and national security.

The delegation, led by the Commandant of the College, Major General Stephen Mnkande, was received by the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, who was represented by Barr. Emmanuel Edet.

Welcoming the delegation, the NITDA boss underscored the agency’s evolving mandate, highlighting its role in integrating digital technologies across various sectors, including defence.

“NITDA was established in 2007 as a government vehicle to promote the integration of information technology into different sectors of Nigeria’s economy, including the defence sector. Our vision has since evolved to using digital technologies as a tool for economic development, which we refer to as the digital economy,” he stated.

He emphasized the agency’s role in ensuring that digital activities in the country are carried out in a safe and trustworthy manner, which directly intersects with national security.

“Even though we are not a law enforcement or security agency, we understand the strong relationship between digital technologies, defence, and national security,” he added.

In his remarks, Maj. Gen. Mnkande expressed appreciation for the opportunity to visit NITDA, describing it as a crucial institution for learning and experience sharing.

“This is the right place for us to come and learn, as well as exchange experiences from Tanzania. We are here to conduct a comparative analysis and allow our students to gain firsthand experience,” he noted.

Following the meeting, the delegation was taken on a tour of the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), where they were introduced to various technological innovations and research initiatives aimed at advancing Nigeria’s digital and security architecture.