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The United Nations University Operating Unit on Policy-Driven Electronic Governance (UNU-EGOV) has officially designated Nigeria as the host country for the 2025 International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance (ICEGOV). This would help cement the nation’s rising influence in shaping Africa’s digital future. The announcement, made by Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy in Abuja, positions Lagos as the epicenter of global dialogues on tech-driven governance from November 04–07, 2025.
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Abuja will host ICEGOV 2025 with focus on discussing “Shaping the Future of Digital Governance through Cooperation, Innovation, and Inclusion.” In a world reshaped by intelligent systems, automation, and the power of data, ICEGOV 2025 will be highlighting the need for an inclusive and collaborative approach to digital governance in a transforming world.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is the The local organiser of ICEGOV 2025. NITDA will also offer a forum for policy discussion, capacity building, and information sharing. This is to strengthen Nigeria’s strategic position in influencing the direction of sustainable digital transformation, digital public infrastructure (DPI), and e-governance.
Why ICEGOV 2025 Matters for Nigeria
ICEGOV, a flagship UN-affiliated conference, convenes governments, academia, and industry leaders to advance digital governance frameworks. Nigeria’s selection—a first for West Africa—follows competitive bids from tech-forward nations, underscoring its strides in digitizing public services, fostering innovation ecosystems, and championing policies like the National AI Strategy and Digital Economy Bill.
ICEGOV 2025 validates Nigeria’s commitment to inclusive digital transformation
“Hosting ICEGOV 2025 validates Nigeria’s commitment to inclusive digital transformation. This platform will amplify Africa’s voice in global e-governance debates while accelerating homegrown solutions like our National AI Strategy. We anticipate collaborations that bridge academia, policy, and industry to reimagine public service delivery,” said Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy.
A UNU-EGOV spokesperson added:
“Nigeria’s dynamic tech landscape and regulatory vision align with ICEGOV’s mission to democratize digital governance. This event will spotlight African innovations for global scalability.”
Nigeria’s Digital Economy: By the Numbers
- $18.7 billion: Contribution of ICT to Nigeria’s GDP (2023).
- 15%: Annual growth rate of Nigeria’s tech startups, with Lagos ranked Africa’s second-largest startup hub.
- 500,000+: Digital jobs created through initiatives like the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Program.
What to Expect at ICEGOV 2025
- Global Partnerships: Deals to boost FDI in Nigeria’s fintech, e-health, and smart infrastructure sectors.
- Showcase of Local Innovations: Nigerian startups like Flutterwave and Reliance Health will demo AI-driven governance tools.
- Policy Workshops: Sessions on cybersecurity, data sovereignty, and blockchain for public administration.
Strategic Implications for Africa
Hosting ICEGOV 2025 amplifies Nigeria’s role as Africa’s digital gatekeeper, offering a blueprint for neighboring economies. Key focus areas include:
- Cross-Border Data Policies: Harmonizing regulations to boost intra-African digital trade.
- Talent Export: Leveraging Nigeria’s tech talent pool to address global IT shortages.
- Sustainable Tech: Integrating climate-resilient solutions into governance frameworks.
