In an era where technology increasingly defines governance and global competitiveness, Nigeria has once again positioned itself as a driving force in Africa’s digital transformation journey. This vision took centre stage at the 18th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance (ICEGOV) 2025, held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, where global leaders, policymakers, innovators, and researchers converged to shape the future of digital governance under the theme, “Shaping the Future of Digital Governance through Cooperation, Innovation, and Inclusion.”
The conference, jointly chaired by the Rector of the United Nations University and UN Under-Secretary-General, Prof. Tschilidzi Marwala, and Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, marked a defining moment in Nigeria’s ambition to lead Africa’s digital governance revolution.
A Vision for Responsible and Inclusive Innovation
In his keynote address, Prof. Marwala underscored the moral imperative of responsible artificial intelligence (AI) governance, urging nations to ensure that innovation advances equality and collective progress rather than exclusion.
“Artificial intelligence is shaping many areas of our lives, but it must be designed so that it does not leave anyone behind,” he said. “AI will remain suboptimal until it works equally for all people — including the people of Nigeria and, by extension, the African continent.”
His message resonated deeply with Nigeria’s approach to digital governance — one that emphasizes inclusivity, ethics, and cooperation as essential foundations for progress.
The Balance Between Innovation and Governance
Delivering Nigeria’s commitment statement, Dr. Bosun Tijani framed digital transformation not merely as a technological pursuit, but as a governance reform anchored in ideas, research, and ethical policy.
“Nigeria stands at the intersection of innovation, youth, and digital transformation. The state of a society reflects the ideas that dominate it. When good ideas strike, nations prosper; when bad ideas prevail, nations decay,” he declared.
Dr. Tijani introduced the concept of the “Source Balance Ratio”, a framework explaining how governments can balance ideas from diverse stakeholders — academia, private sector, civil society, and development partners — to create people-centered digital policies. He cautioned that if innovation is guided solely by profit or short-term politics, “we end up with regulations that react to innovation rather than guide it.”
From Policy to Practice: Building Digital Foundations
Echoing the Minister’s remarks, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), described ICEGOV 2025 as a milestone in Nigeria’s march toward becoming a digital governance powerhouse.
He noted that the decision to host ICEGOV in Abuja followed Nigeria’s impressive participation in the 2024 edition in South Africa — a reflection of the country’s growing credibility as a hub for research-driven innovation.
Inuwa outlined the five pillars of the Ministry’s Strategic Plan — Knowledge, Policy, Infrastructure, Trade, and Innovation/Entrepreneurship & Capital — all designed to accelerate Nigeria’s digital prosperity.
Among the initiatives highlighted were:
- The National Digital Literacy Framework, which aims to equip every Nigerian — from early learners to civil servants — with foundational digital skills.
- The 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, a nationwide drive to empower young Nigerians with globally competitive tech skills.
- Collaboration with the Ministry of Education to integrate digital literacy into national curricula by 2026.
- Ongoing development of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), including a National Data Exchange Platform and a DPI Centre of Excellence to support interoperability, transparency, and trust in governance.
“Digital transformation is not just about technology — it’s about improving how we serve our citizens,” Inuwa said. “Governance must meet citizens where they are, which today, is online.”
A Platform for Global Dialogue and Cooperation
Beyond Nigeria’s delegation, ICEGOV 2025 attracted an array of dignitaries and policy experts, including the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, and key members of the National Assembly Committees on ICT and Cybersecurity.
They collectively lauded Nigeria’s leadership in digital policy reform, describing the conference as a timely forum for shaping global dialogue on ethical technology, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence regulation.
Speakers emphasized that sustainable digital transformation depends on multilateral collaboration, strong institutions, and citizen-centered governance systems that are both inclusive and resilient.
Shaping the Future of Governance
As ICEGOV 2025 concluded, one message echoed strongly — Nigeria’s digital agenda is not merely about deploying technology but redefining governance itself. It is about aligning innovation with integrity, efficiency with empathy, and progress with public trust.
From AI governance to grassroots digital literacy, Nigeria’s digital transformation blueprint reflects a new era where technology becomes an enabler of good governance, economic resilience, and inclusive growth.
At ICEGOV 2025, the world saw not just a host nation but a leader — one committed to shaping the digital destiny of Africa through cooperation, innovation, and inclusion.
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