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Agency champions innovation, AI, blockchain, digital skills and strategic partnerships at NCS International Conference 2026
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has renewed its call for stronger collaboration among government, industry, academia and technology professionals to accelerate digital innovation and position Nigeria for inclusive economic growth.
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The Agency made the call at the 20th Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) International Conference 2026 in Jos, Plateau State, where stakeholders converged to explore how emerging technologies can be transformed into practical solutions for governance, job creation, enterprise development and national competitiveness.
Speaking on behalf of the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Agency’s Director of Stakeholders Management and Partnerships, Dr. Aristotle Onumo, said Nigeria’s digital future depends on sustained investments in innovation, research, digital skills and strategic partnerships capable of delivering measurable socio-economic impact.
He noted that the country’s growing digital economy presents enormous opportunities, but achieving meaningful transformation will require stronger collaboration among public institutions, private enterprises, researchers and technology innovators.
NITDA Driving Digital Transformation Through Strategic Roadmap
Onumo explained that NITDA remains committed to implementing its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) through initiatives focused on digital literacy, research and development, emerging technologies, cyber sovereignty and innovation ecosystems.
According to him, the Agency is creating an enabling environment where innovators, startups and technology entrepreneurs can develop solutions that address national development challenges while attracting investment into Nigeria’s expanding digital economy.
Dr. Aristotle Onumo,
“We are transforming Digital Nigeria into the nation’s foremost innovation platform where policymakers, investors, startups, researchers and technology companies can collaborate to accelerate economic growth and digital transformation,” he said.
He encouraged innovators, developers and startup founders to leverage the forthcoming Builders Summit to showcase indigenous digital solutions capable of addressing Nigeria’s critical socio-economic priorities.
Governor Mutfwang Highlights Technology’s Role in Governance
Declaring the conference open, Plateau State Governor Barrister Caleb Mutfwang described digital technology as an indispensable tool for modern governance and sustainable economic development.
He said his administration has continued to deploy digital technologies to improve public service delivery, strengthen internally generated revenue and modernise government operations across the state.
The governor also identified digital innovation as a key enabler for agricultural transformation, improved productivity and enhanced food security, urging participants to ensure that discussions at the conference produce practical outcomes capable of delivering tangible national benefits.
NCS Advocates Emerging Technologies for Economic Renaissance
Earlier, President of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Prof. Muhammad Sirajo, said the annual conference was designed to strengthen collaboration among policymakers, regulators, researchers, academia and industry leaders on strategies for harnessing emerging technologies to drive national development.
Speaking on the conference theme, “Harnessing Digital Innovation and Emerging Technologies for Inclusive Growth and Economic Renaissance (RISE 2026),” he identified artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing, cybersecurity and robotics as transformative technologies reshaping economies across the world.
According to him, Nigeria’s youthful population, expanding digital ecosystem and growing innovation community provide a unique opportunity to build a globally competitive digital economy, provided investments in innovation, digital infrastructure and human capital remain national priorities.
Conference Focuses on Inclusive Digital Growth
The conference attracted government officials, regulators, technology professionals, academics, development partners, researchers and private-sector leaders who deliberated on policy frameworks, digital innovation, emerging technologies and collaborative strategies aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s digital transformation.
Participants agreed that stronger partnerships among government, academia and industry will be essential to unlocking the country’s innovation potential, creating sustainable employment opportunities and positioning Nigeria as a leading digital economy in Africa.
With emerging technologies increasingly reshaping global competitiveness, the conference reaffirmed the importance of coordinated investments in digital infrastructure, innovation ecosystems and capacity building to ensure Nigeria fully harnesses the opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
