Nigeria’s first national microchip design framework to drive digital sovereignty

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in partnership with U.S.-based ChipMango, unveiled Nigeria’s first national microchip design framework, a move seen by many in the industry as a defining step toward digital sovereignty.

For a nation that has long depended on imported technology, the announcement during the GITEX Nigeria 2025 in Lagos marked a bold pivot.

“We are building a future where Nigerian talent leads in semiconductor design,” said Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, NITDA’s director general, during the launch. “This framework embodies our vision for digital sovereignty and inclusion, creating jobs, exports, and innovation for generations to come.”

The framework rests on three pillars: capacity building, outsourcing, and policy alignment. Central to this plan is ChipMango’s AI-powered e-learning platform, which will provide Nigerian students with hands-on training, simulation tools, and globally recognised certifications. Already in use in U.S. universities, the platform is designed to turn learners into industry-ready chip designers.

Beyond education, the framework positions Nigeria as a global hub for microchip design outsourcing, linking local talent to international projects worth billions of dollars. Policy integration with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) ensures the initiative is tied to national economic goals.

A distinctive feature is inclusion. Women, often underrepresented in STEM, are placed at the centre of the effort through outreach, mentorship, and scholarship programmes to ensure a diverse and innovative talent pool.

The unveiling also launched the NITDA–ChipMango Innovation Challenge 2025, a nationwide competition inviting students across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to design chip-based solutions for healthcare, agriculture, robotics, and AI. Winning teams will gain recognition, mentorship, and industry certification.

For ChipMango’s Nigerian-born CEO, Ola Fadiran, the mission is clear. “This is more than a framework; it is a national strategy,” he said. “Together with NITDA, we are nurturing experts, innovators, and leaders who will power Nigeria’s microchip design economy.

Momentum will continue at Digital Nigeria 2025, where discussions will focus on building a national outsourcing ecosystem around the framework.

For many students in the audience, the launch was more than policy; it was a glimpse into a future where Nigeria’s chips could power the world. As one whispered to a friend, eyes wide with possibility, Maybe the next iPhone chip could come from Nigeria.

By Chinwe Michael, Business Day