A team of five Nigerian researchers made a significant impact at the 17th International Conference on the Theory and Practice of E-Government (ICEGOV 2024), held in Pretoria, South Africa. Organized by the United Nations University and UNESCO, the conference brought together over 336 participants from 49 countries, highlighting the growing global importance of digital governance.
Speaking on behalf of Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, emphasized the critical role Nigeria played at the event. He noted that the researchers’ contributions directly align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes the use of technology to drive economic diversification and improve governance.
Abdullahi also emphasized the prestige of the conference, pointing out that only 85 of the 157 research papers submitted were accepted, making Nigeria’s participation especially notable. He expressed confidence that the knowledge shared at ICEGOV 2024 would help propel Nigeria’s technological innovations, furthering President Tinubu’s vision of a diversified economy and strengthened governance.
The research presented by the Nigerian team spanned various areas of digital transformation, with a focus on enhancing e-governance and fostering economic growth. Highlights include:
- Hassana Asuku’s “Bridging the Broadband Gap”: Asuku’s study proposed strategies to expand broadband access in rural communities, with the goal of reducing the digital divide. Her research emphasizes economic inclusion and civic engagement, aligning with Nigeria’s efforts to drive digital development nationwide.
- Adeyinka Patrick Adewumi’s “Digital Competency in the Public Sector”: Adewumi explored the challenges posed by low digital literacy among public servants, advocating for targeted training programs and infrastructure upgrades to accelerate the digital transformation of Nigeria’s public sector.
- Dr. Agbali Mohammed’s “Scalable Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)”: Mohammed’s research tackled the institutional barriers to implementing effective digital public infrastructure in Nigeria. He called for stronger public-private partnerships and regulatory reforms to improve digital service delivery.
- Dr. Tanimu Mukhtar Garba’s “Tax Compliance for SMEs”: Garba introduced the Taxpoynt platform, which simplifies tax compliance processes for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This innovation is crucial given the pivotal role SMEs play in Nigeria’s economic landscape.
- Dr. Salihu Dasuki Ibrahim’s “Citizens’ Freedoms in E-Governance”: Ibrahim examined how digital public infrastructure can protect citizen rights while addressing concerns such as inadequate ICT infrastructure and data privacy issues in Nigeria’s evolving e-governance environment.
The participation of these Nigerian researchers at ICEGOV 2024 underscores Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging technology for sustainable development and governance reforms. Mr. Abdullahi reaffirmed NITDA’s dedication to supporting innovative research efforts that position Nigeria as a leader in global digital governance, ensuring that technological advancements continue to drive national progress and improve the lives of citizens.
