Mrs. Iklima Musa

Mrs. Iklima Musa Salihu is an accomplished information technology professional, digital innovation strategist and public sector administrator with over a decade of experience in technology policy development, strategic partnerships and digital transformation. She currently serves as the Special Assistant to the Director-General on Strategic Partnerships at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), where she contributes to the development and implementation of programmes aimed at strengthening Nigeria's digital economy and expanding opportunities for technology-driven development.
Her professional career spans Nigeria's public and private technology sectors, with experience in network operations, technical services and programme management. She previously worked as a Technical Services Officer at Galaxy Backbone Limited and Network Operations Manager at Suburban Fiber Company. She subsequently served as Senior Programme Manager at the Office for Nigerian Content Development in Information and Communication Technology before joining NITDA in July 2020 as Special Assistant to the Director-General on Strategy and Innovation.
During her tenure at NITDA, Mrs. Salihu has contributed to the development and implementation of the Agency's Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 1.0 and 2.0), supporting initiatives focused on digital literacy, technology entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem development. Her work has involved coordinating strategic programmes, facilitating institutional partnerships and supporting policies designed to improve Nigeria's technological competitiveness.
She has been particularly active in advancing women's participation in the digital economy. She played a leading role in developing the draft National Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy, which seeks to address barriers limiting women's access to technology, digital skills and economic opportunities. In March 2025, she represented NITDA at the 69th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, where she presented Nigeria's gender digital inclusion priorities. She also supported the implementation of the IgniteHer Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, organised by NITDA in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), to strengthen women's entrepreneurial capabilities.
Beyond her public sector responsibilities, Mrs. Salihu is the Founder and Honorary Chair of TechBridge Foundation, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to promoting digital inclusion, STEM education and economic empowerment among women and girls, particularly in Northern Nigeria. Through initiatives including EmpowerHer, TechHer Thrive and RoboGirls with Ally Boys, the Foundation has reached more than 2,000 beneficiaries with digital skills training, mentorship and exposure to emerging technologies.
In August 2026, TechBridge Foundation received the Presidency Award in the HERDIGITAL ACCESS category at the second National Gender Inclusion Conference, organised under the auspices of the Office of the Vice President of Nigeria. The recognition acknowledged the Foundation's contributions to expanding digital access and economic opportunities for women and girls.
Mrs. Iklima Musa Salihu continues to advocate for inclusive technology policies, stronger institutional partnerships and the development of digital skills across Nigeria. Through her work at NITDA and TechBridge Foundation, she contributes to efforts to bridge the digital gender divide and strengthen the participation of women and young people in Africa's technology ecosystem.