Biography

Mohammed Saidu Kumo is the Director of the Research and Development (R&D) Department at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), where he leads transformative initiatives to position Nigeria as a global hub for innovation in emerging technologies. Under his leadership, the department focuses on advancing research in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Internet of Things (IoT), Robotics, Blockchain, and Additive Manufacturing, with the ambitious goal of placing Nigeria among the top 25% of technology research nations worldwide.

With a career spanning 27 years across academia, information technology, and telecommunications, Kumo brings a wealth of expertise and visionary leadership to the tech ecosystem. From 2020 to 2024, he headed NITDA’s Project Management Unit, ensuring the successful execution of strategic projects that have significantly contributed to Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.

Kumo holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from Universiti Putra Malaysia, along with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Nigeria. His professional journey began in 1997 as a Graduate Assistant, after which he transitioned into the telecommunications industry, serving as the Internet Point of Presence Help Desk Manager for NITEL (1999–2003) and later as Mobile Services Switching Centre Manager at mTEL (2003–2009). He subsequently returned to academia as a lecturer, specializing in electrical power systems engineering.

A prolific researcher, Kumo has authored over 20 publications in renowned journals and international conferences, contributing significantly to the body of knowledge in electrical engineering and emerging technologies. He is a certified COBIT Design and Implementation professional (ISACA) and has received advanced ICT training from global tech leaders, including Siemens, Motorola, and ZTE University in China.

Kumo is a registered engineer with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE). His unwavering dedication to research, innovation, and capacity building continues to shape Nigeria's technological landscape, driving the nation toward a digitally empowered future.