NITDA Rolls Out Sovereign Cloud Taskforce for Nigeria’s Digital Independence Push

NITDA Rolls Out Sovereign Cloud Taskforce for Nigeria’s Digital Independence Push

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has inaugurated the National Sovereign Cloud Initiative Implementation Taskforce (NSCI‑ITF), marking a major shift in Nigeria’s digital‑sovereignty drive from policy formulation to coordinated nationwide implementation. The taskforce will serve as a multi‑stakeholder platform to operationalise Nigeria’s sovereign cloud framework, strengthen regulatory alignment, resolve technical and institutional bottlenecks, attract investment and build domestic capacity in cloud computing and digital infrastructure.

The National Sovereign Cloud Initiative (NSCI), coordinated by NITDA, is designed to establish a secure, resilient and competitive cloud ecosystem capable of protecting Nigeria’s critical digital assets while supporting innovation, private‑sector participation and global technology partnerships. The implementation phase formally commenced on August 4, 2026, following the signing of the National Cloud Computing Guideline, National Cloud Technical Guideline, National Digital Infrastructure Assurance Framework (NDIAF) and the unveiling of the National Cloud Investment Strategy.

Speaking at the inauguration, NITDA Director‑General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi described the sovereign cloud programme as an ecosystem‑wide reform capable of powering Nigeria’s next phase of economic growth. He noted that unlike previous reforms in GSM and banking, digital transformation cuts across every sector of the economy. “Everything we do today depends on digital technology,” he said, stressing that Nigeria must strengthen ownership and control of its digital infrastructure to secure its economic future. He added that effective control…