The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has described the successful hosting of the 18th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance (ICEGOV 2025) in Abuja as a turning point in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey, one that firmly places the country on the global map of digital governance innovation.
Held under the distinguished patronage of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the four-day global gathering brought together thought leaders, researchers, and policymakers from 33 countries to exchange groundbreaking ideas and strengthen international cooperation in electronic governance. NITDA noted that the event not only reinforced Nigeria’s position as a digital powerhouse in Africa but also showcased the country’s growing intellectual and technological capacity.
ICEGOV 2025, an initiative of the United Nations University Operating Unit on Electronic Governance (UNU-EGOV), received an impressive 151 scientific paper submissions from 308 authors worldwide. Remarkably, Nigeria topped the list of contributors with 102 authors, highlighting the country’s expanding influence and research excellence in digital policy and governance.
NITDA credited this success to years of consistent investment in digital skills development, innovation funding, and research support, strategic efforts that are now yielding tangible results. The agency emphasized that such progress reflects its broader mission of building a knowledge-driven, inclusive, and sustainable digital economy.
Among the conference’s highlights was the recognition of outstanding research contributions. Nigeria’s own Robert Ifeonu of the Central Bank of Nigeria won the Best Paper Award in the Research Category for his work, “Micro-Transformation Framework for Public Sector Innovation: Catalysing Resilient, Outcome-Driven Digital Governance.” His achievement, NITDA stated, is proof that Nigerian experts are not just participating in global conversations but actively shaping the future of governance innovation.
In her closing remarks, Professor Delfina Soares, Director of UNU-EGOV, praised NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, for his strategic leadership and early vision that made ICEGOV 2025 in Abuja a global success. She noted that the agency’s coordination, local partnerships, and sponsorship efforts elevated the quality of the conference and underscored Africa’s growing relevance in global digital research.
Reflecting on the conference’s outcomes, NITDA said ICEGOV 2025 delivered far-reaching value, from enhancing Nigeria’s international reputation as a digital innovation hub to sparking new partnerships that will drive research, investment, and capacity development in the years ahead.
The agency reaffirmed that the insights and collaborations generated at the conference would accelerate the implementation of Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda, enhance governance efficiency, and support the Federal Government’s drive to diversify the economy through technology and industrialization.
As the curtains fell on ICEGOV 2025, NITDA pledged to sustain the momentum, ensuring that Nigeria doesn’t just join global digital governance dialogues but leads them, crafting policies and innovations that define the next era of digital excellence.
