…NITDA HAILS CONFERENCE’S CONTRIBUTION TO ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION, DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has described the successful conclusion of the 18th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance (ICEGOV 2025) in Abuja as a major milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey and economic diversification drive.
The four-day global conference, held under the patronage of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, brought together policymakers, researchers, industry leaders and development experts to explore the future of electronic governance. Organised by the United Nations University (UNU-EGOV) and hosted by NITDA, the event featured debates, research presentations and strategic partnerships aimed at advancing digital governance worldwide.
NITDA said the conference’s outcomes align closely with President Tinubu’s national priority of accelerating economic diversification through industrialisation and digitisation, noting that the event reinforced Nigeria’s position as a key player in the global digital economy.
Founded in 2007, ICEGOV is one of the world’s foremost platforms for examining the intersection of technology, governance and public policy. This year’s edition placed Nigeria firmly at the centre of global digital discourse, highlighting the nation’s growing intellectual and technological capacity.
According to NITDA, the 2025 conference recorded 151 scientific paper submissions from 308 authors across 33 countries. Notably, emerging economies accounted for 68 per cent of participants, while Nigeria led the global submission list with 102 contributing authors—followed by Brazil, India, Portugal and Greece.
The agency credited this strong participation to over a decade of sustained investment in digital talent development, research funding and ecosystem growth—initiatives that are now yielding both local and international recognition.
One of the highlights of the conference was the presentation of the ICEGOV Best Paper Awards. Nigeria’s Robert Ifeonu of the Central Bank of Nigeria emerged top in the Research category for his paper titled “Micro-Transformation Framework for Public Sector Innovation: Catalysing Resilient, Outcome-Driven Digital Governance.”
NITDA described the achievement as evidence of Nigeria’s emerging leadership in developing home-grown models for digital governance capable of delivering real socio-economic impact.
In her closing remarks, Professor Delfina Soares, Director of UNU-EGOV, commended NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, for his early endorsement and strategic leadership in securing Abuja as the host city. She said NITDA’s strong local coordination and sponsorship support elevated the conference’s impact and strengthened Africa’s footprint in the global digital governance ecosystem.
Reflecting on the conference’s broader significance, NITDA noted that ICEGOV 2025 delivered multiple layers of value—enhancing Nigeria’s global reputation as a digital innovation hub, deepening research collaborations and attracting potential investments in capacity development and digital infrastructure.
The agency added that insights from the conference will support ongoing efforts to drive efficiency in public service delivery, improve regulatory frameworks and accelerate the realisation of Nigeria’s digital transformation roadmap.
As delegates departed Abuja with new partnerships and shared commitments, NITDA reaffirmed its resolve to sustain the momentum. The agency pledged to ensure that Nigeria not only participates in global digital governance conversations but plays a defining role in shaping their direction.
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