Nigeria has renewed its strong commitment to digital transformation, innovation, and transparent governance as engines for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
Speaking at the 18th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance (ICEGOV 2025), held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, declared the nation’s readiness to lead Africa’s digital future.
The conference, themed “Shaping the Future of Digital Governance through Cooperation, Innovation, and Inclusion,” was co-chaired by the Rector of the United Nations University and UN Under-Secretary-General, Prof. Tschilidzi Marwala, alongside Dr. Tijani.
Favour Okorie, a senior official of the Ministry, said the event reinforced Nigeria’s alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises economic reform, institutional efficiency, and inclusive digital growth.
Prof. Marwala, in his keynote, called for the responsible and equitable development of Artificial Intelligence (AI), stressing that technology must benefit all, especially Africans. He underscored the importance of transparency, security, and accountability in AI governance, warning against the dangers of unchecked technological power.
“AI will remain suboptimal until it works equally for all people, including Nigerians and Africans. It must be designed with equality and ethics at its core,” he stated.
Dr. Tijani, in his address, emphasised that technology-driven governance should be built on sound research and ethical policymaking. “Nigeria stands at the intersection of innovation, youth, and transformation. Our policies must guide innovation, not chase after it,” he said.
He introduced the Source Balance Ratio, a model illustrating how ideas from government, academia, civil society, and the private sector shape effective policy.
Echoing his remarks, Kashifu Inuwa described ICEGOV 2025 as a defining moment in Nigeria’s digital journey. He said the Ministry’s strategic plan, Accelerating the Nation’s Collective Prosperity through Technical Efficiency, continues to drive digital literacy, innovation, and institutional efficiency nationwide.
Inuwa explained that Nigeria is already implementing initiatives to ensure citizens, from schools to workplaces, acquire essential digital skills while strengthening the capacity of civil servants through continuous training. He added that programmes such as the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative have empowered thousands of young Nigerians with high-demand skills for the global digital economy.
“Digital transformation is not just about technology but about how we serve our citizens. Our mission is to build trust, efficiency, and access through digital governance,” Inuwa said.
He also revealed ongoing efforts to establish a National Data Exchange Platform and a Centre of Excellence for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to enhance data-driven governance and cross-sector collaboration.
Dignitaries at the event included the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, and members of the National Assembly Committees on ICT and Cybersecurity.
They commended Nigeria’s leadership in promoting ethical technology, innovation, and sustainable digital policy across Africa.
In their collective assessment, ICEGOV 2025 represents a major milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation trajectory reinforcing the nation’s role as a global thought leader in inclusive, ethical, and citizen-centred digital governance.
