Nigeria Reasserts Leadership in Digital Governance at ICEGOV 2025

Nigeria Reasserts Leadership in Digital Governance at ICEGOV 2025

By Gloria Sarauniya Usman

ABUJA, NIGERIA November, 2025 - Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to advancing digital transformation and strengthening good governance as the 18th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance (ICEGOV 2025) opened in Abuja. The conference, held at the Shehu Musa Yar’adua Centre, gathered global experts, policymakers, and innovators to explore new directions in digital governance under the theme “Shaping the Future of Digital Governance through Cooperation, Innovation, and Inclusion.”

Speaking at the opening session, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, stressed the need for research-driven policy and ethical innovation. He cautioned that nations risk regulatory setbacks when technology is guided by profit or short-term political interests rather than evidence-based decision-making. He emphasised that Nigeria remains firmly aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places digitalisation at the centre of economic growth and public service reform.

The Rector of the United Nations University and Co-Chair of ICEGOV 2025, Prof. Tschilidzi Marwala, underscored the importance of responsible artificial intelligence, warning that AI must be developed inclusively to avoid deepening global inequalities. He called for democratized access to AI tools and broader participation in shaping their governance to ensure that technological advancement benefits society as a whole.

Also speaking, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, described the conference as a significant step in Nigeria’s mission to build a digitally empowered nation. He highlighted ongoing initiatives including the National Digital Literacy Framework, the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, digital public infrastructure development, and nationwide citizen-focused digital skills campaigns. Inuwa said the country is positioning itself as a regional leader in digital governance and innovation.

The conference drew support from key government institutions and lawmakers, who commended Nigeria’s leadership in digital policy, cybersecurity preparedness, and inclusive technology development. Their collective remarks reinforced ICEGOV 2025 as a vital platform for shaping global digital governance, strengthening institutional capacity, and accelerating Africa’s transition to a knowledge-driven digital economy. The call was made in a press release signed by Mrs. Hadiza Umar, Director, Corporate Communications and Media Relations, NITDA.