TLDR: Nigeria has strongly reiterated its dedication to advancing digital transformation and good governance across Africa, serving as the host nation for the 18th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance (ICEGOV) 2025 in Abuja. The conference, held from November 4-7, 2025, brought together global experts to discuss shaping the future of digital governance through cooperation, innovation, and inclusion, with a significant emphasis on responsible AI development and robust digital infrastructure.
Abuja, Nigeria – November 6, 2025 – Nigeria has firmly reaffirmed its commitment to spearheading digital transformation and fostering good governance across the African continent, as it hosted the prestigious 18th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance (ICEGOV) 2025. The four-day conference, which commenced on November 4 and concludes on November 7, 2025, at the Shehu Musa Yara’dua Centre in Abuja, marked a significant milestone as the first of its kind to be held in West Africa.
The event, themed ‘Shaping the Future of Digital Governance through Cooperation, Innovation, and Inclusion,’ gathered a diverse array of senior government officials, global technology leaders, academics, and development partners. Their collective aim was to co-create solutions for effective governance in the rapidly evolving digital era. The Nigerian delegation was notably led by Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
Dr. Tijani emphasized that digital technologies are not merely economic tools but are fundamental in reshaping society, governance, and citizenship. He reiterated the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to embedding digital transformation at every level of national development, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ for public-sector reform and economic diversification. The Minister stressed the critical need for a balance between innovation, research, and regulation to ensure that digital technologies genuinely serve the public good. ‘If our ideas are driven solely by profit or short-term politics, we end up with regulations that react to innovation rather than guide it,’ Dr. Tijani cautioned, advocating for policymaking guided by research and ethics.
Echoing this vision, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE described ICEGOV 2025 as a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s journey towards becoming a global digital governance powerhouse. He revealed that the decision to host the conference was inspired by Dr. Tijani’s directive following Nigeria’s successful participation in ICEGOV 2024 in South Africa. ‘Honourable Minister said he wants us to host workshops at the ICEGOV 2024 because he believes in research, and that if we really want to build a robust and sustainable economy, especially in the digital era, we need to invest heavily in deep research, especially in deep tech,’ Inuwa stated. He further highlighted ongoing work on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), including a national data exchange platform and a Centre of Excellence for DPI, designed to strengthen Nigeria’s digital governance architecture.
A key discussion point at the conference was the responsible and inclusive development of artificial intelligence (AI). Prof. Tschilidzi Marwala, Rector of the United Nations University and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, called for AI technology to be developed to benefit all people, including Africans, emphasizing the need to democratize AI. Speakers collectively underscored the importance of aligning national digital strategies with global best practices in AI governance, cybersecurity, and emerging technology regulation, identifying these as crucial enablers of sustainable digital development.
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Nigeria’s leadership in hosting ICEGOV 2025 demonstrates its dedication to shaping the future of digital governance and promoting sustainable development in Africa. The nation’s goal is to build the capacity, infrastructure, and appropriate policies for Africa’s digital self-determination, fostering trust, efficiency, and improved service experiences for its citizens. The conference also touched upon digital literacy initiatives, with the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, affirming the government’s resolve to integrate digital literacy into school curricula and build a digitally skilled public workforce.
