The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) announced that hosting the 18th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance (ICEGOV 2025) in Abuja created new opportunities for investment and research collaboration. The agency said the conference’s outcomes will accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation and support its push for economic diversification.
For four days, the global event gathered policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, and development partners from 33 countries to explore innovative approaches to digital governance and public sector reform. NITDA described ICEGOV 2025 as a major milestone that reaffirmed Nigeria’s position as one of Africa’s leading digital innovation hubs. The agency noted that the conference deepened international research partnerships, encouraged innovation exchanges, and attracted investors eager to engage with Nigeria’s growing tech ecosystem.
NITDA emphasized that hosting ICEGOV 2025 brought immense value to the country. It elevated Nigeria’s reputation in digital governance, strengthened partnerships, and laid the groundwork for new investments, research collaborations, and capacity-building programs. The agency said the knowledge shared during the event will help speed up digital transformation efforts and improve public sector efficiency.
The United Nations University Operating Unit on Policy-Driven Electronic Governance (UNU-EGOV) established ICEGOV in 2007 to promote global research and best practices in digital governance. The 2025 edition, themed “Reinventing Governance for a Digital Age,” marked the first time Nigeria hosted the event, placing the country at the heart of international conversations about technology and governance.
Researchers submitted 151 scientific papers authored by 308 contributors from 33 countries. Emerging economies made up 68 percent of participants, while Nigeria led with 102 authors, ahead of Brazil, India, Portugal, and Greece. NITDA said this dominance reflected years of investment in digital research, innovation, and capacity development within Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.
The conference included plenary sessions, policy dialogues, and an award segment recognizing excellence in e-governance research. Robert Ifeonu of the Central Bank of Nigeria received the Best Paper Award in the Research category for his work titled “Micro-Transformation Framework for Public Sector Innovation: Catalysing Resilient, Outcome-Driven Digital Governance.” NITDA said his recognition highlighted Nigeria’s growing leadership in developing home-grown frameworks for digital governance and socio-economic transformation.
In her closing remarks, Professor Delfina Soares, Director of UNU-EGOV, praised NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, for his vision and leadership in making the conference possible. She said NITDA’s proactive coordination and strong local partnerships amplified the global impact of ICEGOV 2025 and gave Africa a stronger voice in global digital governance discussions. According to her, bringing ICEGOV to Nigeria amplified Africa’s contribution to the global body of research on electronic governance and would continue to inspire partnerships and innovations that benefit both Nigeria and the international community.
NITDA noted that the economic and strategic impact of ICEGOV 2025 will continue long after the event. The agency expects lasting benefits in the form of joint research projects, expanded innovation networks, improved regulatory frameworks, and a faster shift toward a knowledge-based economy. It said the momentum from the conference will lead to tangible outcomes such as research grants, technology investments, policy updates, and institutional reforms.
NITDA reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining that momentum and ensuring Nigeria not only remains part of global digital governance discussions but also helps shape the future of technology and governance worldwide.
