NITDA Deploys AI To Turn Youth Ideas Into Policy Proposals

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is set to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced digital tools to transform ideas generated by young Nigerians into concrete policy proposals for national development.

The initiative was announced by NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, during the opening ceremony of the maiden National Youth Conference at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.

Inuwa described Nigerian youths as the country’s most strategic asset, noting that while social media platforms provide opportunities for young people to express their views, the volume of online content makes it difficult for policymakers to identify actionable ideas amid misinformation and other digital noise.

He said NITDA would provide the technical infrastructure to collect, analyse and organise contributions from conference participants, ensuring that viable ideas can be channelled into formal government policy processes.

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According to him, the agency, in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Development, will use AI frameworks to categorise submissions into thematic areas, including digital innovation, job creation, climate action and security.

The system is also expected to create an auditable trail through which proposals can be tracked from their submission at the conference to relevant policy channels.

Inuwa assured participants that their discussions would be captured and preserved through technology, adding that NITDA would provide full technical support throughout the process.

He further disclosed that the AI-driven initiative would support virtual zonal sessions scheduled for October 5 to 17, 2026, to enable young Nigerians across all 360 federal constituencies and those in the diaspora to contribute to discussions on the country’s future.

The approach is intended to expand participation beyond the physical conference venue and give young people across the country and abroad an opportunity to contribute to national development.

The initiative places digital technology at the centre of efforts to strengthen youth participation in governance, with AI expected to help organise public contributions into proposals that government institutions can consider in policy formulation.