Nigeria will host the UN’s Digital Governance Conference for the first time. The 18th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance (ICEGOV) takes place in Abuja, 4-7 November.
The event is organised by the United Nations University (UNU-EGOV) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). It runs under the patronage of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
Over 400 delegates from government, academia and industry will attend. They represent more than 50 countries.
This year’s theme is “Shaping the Future of Digital Governance through Cooperation, Innovation and Inclusion”. Abuja is the first West African host and only the second African city to welcome the conference since it began in 2007. Previous hosts include Albany, Athens, Galway, Beijing and Bogota.
Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, director-general of NITDA, said: “This moment affirms Nigeria’s place at the table of digital policy and innovation. Our guiding principle has always been to build digital systems that reflect our context, empower our people, and contribute to global progress. Hosting ICEGOV 2025 allows us to exchange knowledge, celebrate innovation across regions, and work together toward a more inclusive and digitally sovereign future.”
Under Abdullahi’s leadership, NITDA has advanced data-driven policymaking and supported digital talent growth. Nigeria co-hosted GITEX Nigeria earlier this year.
The four-day event will feature keynotes, exhibitions on AI, data governance, cybersecurity and digital inclusion.
Two sideline events will run alongside the main programme. The West African Governance Forum (WADGoV) takes place 3 – 4 November, bringing together West African nations to discuss digital governance and cross-border cooperation.