Held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, the session attracted the largest audience of the event’s opening day, setting the tone for three days of intensive engagement, learning, and strategic collaboration.

The fireside chat, moderated by Dr. Agabi, one of Africa’s most decorated ICT journalists, focused on the rising importance of data sovereignty, a theme that resonated deeply with policymakers, innovators, and technology stakeholders seeking to secure Nigeria’s place in the global digital economy.

The session formed a key part of the main event, which also featured remarks from Vice President Kashim Shettima, and Dr. Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, both of whom underscored the urgency of building a resilient and inclusive digital future for Nigeria.

A Conference Seen as a Turning Point

Described by many as a “game changer,” Digital Nigeria 2025 brought together over 4,800 participants from 12 countries and 25 Nigerian states, a reflection of its growing influence as the nation’s premier technology convergence point.

With the theme “Innovation for a Sustainable Digital Future: Accelerating Growth, Inclusion, and Global Competitiveness,” the conference aligned directly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes digitalisation, industrialisation, and innovation as catalysts for economic diversification.

Key Highlights from Digital Nigeria 2025

• Unlocking Digital Economy Potential
  Vice President Kashim Shettima described Nigeria’s digital economy as the nation’s “second chance at global relevance,” noting that the ICT sector already contributes 16–18% to Nigeria’s GDP.
• Empowering the Next Generation
  NITDA DG Kashifu Inuwa challenged young Nigerians to take the lead in shaping Africa’s digital transformation, describing the country’s youthful, tech-savvy population as its strongest strategic asset.
• Scaling Digital Infrastructure
  The government unveiled plans to deploy 4,000 new telecom towers, connect 20 million additional Nigerians, and ramp up investments in artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, and data frameworks.
• Strengthening Digital Governance
  The National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill, now progressing through the National Assembly, seeks to create a unified legal architecture for digital governance, cybersecurity, data protection, and electronic transactions.

A Robust Multi-Track Knowledge Exchange

This year’s conference delivered:

• 12 keynote sessions
• 23 panel discussions
• 5 workshops
• 2 expert masterclasses

These were organised across five thematic tracks:

1. Digital Connectivity
2. Digital Public Infrastructure and Trust
3. Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies
4. Digital Trade and Innovation
5. Digital Skills and Literacy

Dr. Bayero Agabi: A Veteran at the Forefront of Africa’s Digital Story

The fireside chat host, Dr. Bayero Agabi is widely recognized as one of Africa’s leading ICT journalists and advocates.

With over 154 national and international awards, he remains the only African journalist to win the UNECA/AISI Award for balanced reporting and research.

Dr. Agabi is the vice president, Nigeria Internet Group; president, Centre for Cyber Awareness and Development (CECAD); founder of Digivation Network, Nigeria’s first ICT TV programme; chairman, Green Summit Africa; author of Nigeria Digital Heroes and The Nigeria Digital Promise: A Bridge Yet to Cross, and publisher of Cyber Africa Magazine and Enterprise Africa Magazine

His leadership and industry pedigree brought depth and clarity to the conversation on data sovereignty, one of the most pressing issues for Nigeria’s emerging digital economy.

The post Bayero Agabi Hosts NITDA DG in Landmark Fireside Chat at Digital Nigeria 2025 appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

The latest endorsements come from three prominent leaders: Engr. Dr. Bisoye Coker Odusote, director general of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC); Dr. Olushola Odusanya, director general of the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM); and Professor Ibrahim Adepoju Adeyanju, Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone.

These endorsements, secured during a recent audience with the leaders in Abuja, highlight the book’s growing acceptance and relevance within the industry.

These industry leaders are unanimous in their praise for “The Nigeria Digital Heroes,” describing it as a vital chronicle of Nigeria’s ICT evolution from post-independence to the present day. The book meticulously documents the industry’s development, tracing its path from the era of P&T through NITEL, the dot-com boom, and into the current digital age.

The three ICT giants highly recommend the book for all Nigerians, emphasizing its importance for educational institutions, research organizations, and the general public.

They believe it will help readers understand the pivotal policies, individuals, organizations, and innovations that have transformed the industry into what it is today.

Dr. Agabi, a prominent Nigerian ICT pioneer and broadcast journalist, explained that “The Nigeria Digital Heroes” is the first book in Nigeria to offer such a detailed historical account of the nation’s ICT journey.

The publication highlights the efforts of Nigeria’s first governor to introduce computers into governance and recognizes notable Nigerians, innovators, and policymakers who have significantly shaped the industry since 1999.

Published in 2025, the book reflects Dr. Agabi’s profound understanding and involvement in Nigeria’s digital transformation, covering policy, culture, and technological innovation.

His extensive fellowships and memberships, including NCS, FIIM, FIMC, NIPR, and IDPM, underscore his deep expertise. Dr. Agabi is also the organizer of significant events such as the DigiVation Future Summit, Nigeria Digital Innovation Conference, and Cyber Nigeria Forum, and frequently moderates and speaks at key discussions on building trust in the digital space.

The endorsements from these key government officials and industry leaders are expected to bring significant attention to “The Nigeria Digital Heroes” and its valuable insights into Nigeria’s dynamic digital landscape.

More about Dr. Bayero Agabi

Dr. Bayero Agabi boasts a distinguished career spanning over 25 years in the ICT sector, marked by numerous achievements and contributions:

• He launched AIT Infotech Network, a leading African TV program dedicated to information technology, earning him recognition as Nigeria’s top ICT broadcaster.
• Dr. Agabi is the only African to have twice received the UNECA/AISI ICT4D Award for excellence in ICT reporting.
• Commonwealth University conferred an honorary doctorate upon him in recognition of his outstanding service to ICT in Africa.
• In 2022, he was honored as the Digital Influencer of the Year by Hi-Tech Centre Abuja for his significant contributions to digital literacy.
• He is widely recognized by Young Innovators of Nigeria for his influence in shaping ICT policy.
• Dr. Agabi serves on critical national bodies, including the Presidential Committee on Data Harmonization, the National Broadband Council, and the Senate Cybersecurity Advisory Group. He is also the Vice-President of the Nigeria Internet Group (NIG) and President of the Centre for Cyber Awareness and Development (CECAD), where he is a vocal advocate for cyber sanity and responsible digital use.

The post NIMC, NACETEM and GBB Chiefs Endorse “Nigeria Digital Heroes” by Bayero Agabi appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

He made this call while speaking at a recent conference in Abuja, underscoring the critical imperative for enhanced cyber awareness and the cultivation of responsibility at every echelon of governance and within the broader populace.

“We need to encourage Internet users to take cyber responsibility at the local, regional, national, and international levels. This can be done through advocacy and public education,” he said.

Bayero’s address comes at a crucial juncture as Nigeria’s digital footprint expands rapidly, bringing with it an escalating urgency for robust cyber awareness.

As of today, Nigeria faces a growing tide of cyber threats, ranging from sophisticated hacking attempts and deceptive phishing schemes to pervasive online harassment, all posing substantial dangers to individuals, businesses, and the overall stability of Nigeria’s economy.

He believes that achieving cyber sanity necessitates a unified and concerted effort involving all stakeholders, encompassing government bodies, private enterprises, and civil society organizations.

Meanwhile, in his speech, he made key recommendations to foster a more secure and responsible digital environment in Nigeria.

Such recommendations include increasing cyber awareness, encouraging responsible behaviour, strengthening cybersecurity infrastructure and developing effective policies.

In a strong call to action, Dr. Agabi also urged the Nigerian government and the National Assembly to prioritize the integration of cyber awareness and responsibilities at all levels of their operations and within the wider society.

He highlighted the vital role of effective communication and sustained advocacy in shaping public attitudes and behaviours within the digital realm.

The post Agabi Advocates for Cyber Sanity and Responsible Cyberspace in Nigeria appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.