Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to driving Africa’s digital transformation through research, innovation, and collaborative governance in line with the Federal Government’s priority areas of reforming the economy, enhancing infrastructure, improving governance, and accelerating diversification through digitalisation, industrialisation, creative arts, and innovation.
This reaffirmation came as top government officials, led by 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, declared the country’s readiness to lead in shaping the future of electronic governance.
The declaration was made at the 18th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance (ICEGOV 2025) held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.
Established in 2007, ICEGOV is an annual global platform that brings together academia, governments, international organisations, civil society, and industry to share knowledge and experiences in electronic governance. The 2025 edition, themed “Shaping the Future of Digital Governance through Cooperation, Innovation, and Inclusion,” is co-chaired by the Rector of the United Nations University and UN Under-Secretary-General, Prof. Tschilidzi Marwala, and Dr. Tijani.
In his keynote presentation, Prof. Marwala called for the responsible and inclusive development of artificial intelligence (AI), stressing that technology must serve all people, including Africans, to achieve its full potential.
He highlighted the delicate balance required in managing AI between transparency and security, opportunity and risk, and innovation and accountability, emphasizing the need to democratize AI by enabling people to participate collectively in deciding how it should be used.
He urged policymakers and technologists to view AI not merely as a tool of progress but as a moral responsibility that demands global cooperation to ensure technology strengthens humanity rather than divides it.
Dr. Tijani, in his address, emphasized balancing innovation, research, and regulation, noting that digital technologies must serve the public good and promote inclusion.
He introduced the “Source Balance Ratio,” a conceptual model showing how ideas from government, academia, civil society, the private sector, and development partners shape public policy. According to him, policymaking must be driven by research and ethics, not short-term politics or profit motives.
Dr. Tijani highlighted the link between research and economic growth, urging stronger ties between academia and government for evidence-based policymaking. He commended ICEGOV as a platform that fosters collaboration, ethical innovation, and knowledge exchange, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.