Recognising Drivers of Nigeria’s Digital Economy

Emma Okonji narrates how the Nigeria Computer Society recognised and celebrated the drivers of Nigeria’s digital economy, at the weekend in Lagos

NCS, at the weekend in Lagos, through its flagship programme, ‘National Information Technology Merit Awards (NITMA), celebrated brilliance, creativity and innovation among select Nigerians that have contributed to the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.
The awardees cut across different sectors of the Nigerian economy, including individuals that are outstanding in shaping Nigeria’s digital economy. They were awarded in different categories, which include: Professional Fellowship Award, Honorary Fellowship Award, Digital Governor of the Year, IT Gold Medal Award, Youth Innovation Award, IT Company of the Year Award, Tech Mentor of the Year Award, Cybersecurity Advocate of the Year Award, NGO with Immense Contribution Award, among others.

Speaking during his opening remarks, NCS President, Dr. Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu, said each of the awardees represented the core values of NCS—Excellence, Integrity, Innovation and Impact, adding that NCS will continue to collaborate to advance IT knowledge, uplift one another and create a digital world for all.
Chairman of NITMA 2025 Award ceremony, Alhaji Ladi Oguneye, who commended the awardees, said they could not be winner if they were not very determined, disciplined, and resolute in driving technology development in the country.
“The awardees and winners, both individuals and corporate, I congratulate you. May your road continue to be positively rough to bring out the best in you,” Oguneye said.

Digital Transformation

Speaking about digital transformation in Nigeria, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Isaac Olaseinde, declared NCS as an outstanding association that has been at the heart of Nigeria’s digital transformation journey for decades, through is advocacy.

“Through the recognition, NCS is strengthening our digital economy, building talent, expanding infrastructure, enabling innovation, and advancing technology for national development. The recognition, as a motivation, will continue to drive policies and programmes of government that will enable the Nigerian tech community to thrive from workforce development to entrepreneurship, technology transfer, and global competitiveness. I thank the National Executive Council and the entire membership of the Nigeria Computer Society, and I remain committed to partnering with NCS to build a more inclusive, resilient, and prosperous digital future for Nigeria,” the minister said.

President/Chairman-in-Council, Computer Professionals (Registration Council) of Nigeria (CPN), Dr. Eyo Effiong Essien, said: “The award event is not merely a celebration of individual and corporate achievements, but a vital catalyst that inspires quality, professionalism, and healthy competition necessary for the sustainable growth of our digital economy. The sustained success of NITMA underscores the critical leadership NCS provides in fostering an environment where innovation is not just encouraged but formally rewarded.”

“We recognise that the Information Technology (IT) sector has become the backbone of Nigeria’s economic diversification and social transformation agenda, from enhancing financial inclusion and modernising public service delivery to driving youth empowerment through digital skills. As CPN, our mandate is to ensure that all practitioners operate within their requisite competence and ethical standards. We are focused on continuous collaboration with NCS to harmonise industry-based practices, promote continuous professional development, and ensure that our registered members are equipped with the skills needed to tackle contemporary global challenges, particularly in areas such as cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and indigenous software development,” Essien further said.

ICT as Driver of State’s IGR

Giving details how Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is enhancing internally generated revenue (IGR) for states, one of the awardees, the Executive Governor of Borno State, Prof. BabaganaUmara Zulum, who emerged as the ‘Digital Governor of the Year’, said ICT had remained the main driver of IGR for the state.

The governor, who was represented by the Executive Secretary, Borno State Information and Communications Technology Development Agency, Mohammed Kabiru, said: “In revenue system, we have deployed automated platforms that have strengthened our internally generated revenue, eliminating leakages, improved taxpayer compliance, and enhanced financial accountability across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) of government. Our digital revenue architecture has become a model of transparency-driven governance.”

Speaking about other ICT-enabled development in the state, the governor said the state government established 22 digital literacy centres with state-of-the-art equipment, and powered by solar with seamless internet facilities in some of the local government areas of the state.

According to him, over 10,000 persons benefited from the capacity building in digital literacy and other digital courses conducted by Borno State Information and Communications Technology Development Agency, in partnership with National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA.

“In the health sector, we digitised hospital operations, strengthened data-driven disease surveillance, improved patient records management, enhanced pharmaceutical tracking, and introduced telemedicine capabilities in selected local government areas. These interventions are improving efficiency and delivering faster, more reliable health care services to our people,” the governor said, adding that in education sector, the state implemented a digital classroom, smart learning tools, ICT training for teachers and students.

Awardees

Aside the conferment of professional fellowship awards, other category awards were giving to deserving Nigerians that played key roles in Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum won the Digital Governor of the Year award, while the Chairman, African Union Cybersecurity Expert Group (AU-CSEG), Mr. Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola, emerged the IT Personality of the Year award.

The Cybersecurity Advocate of the Year award was won by the CEO, Cyesec Technologies Limited, Dr. Emmanuel ObonghaOkoi, while the Tech Mentor of the Year award was won by IT Professional, Mr. Olanrewaju James Olukotun for mentoring hundreds of underprivileged youth in software development at Rework Academy.

The IT Company of the Year award was won by Arit of Africa, a Technology Service Provider in sub-Saharan Africa since 1971, while the Youth Innovator of the Year was won by the Founder, Young Innovators of Nigeria (YIN), Mr. Andrew Agbo Abu, who is also the Director of Information and Strategy, NCS Abuja Chapter, and a member of Computer Professionals (Registration Council) of Nigeria (CPN), among other awardees.

About NITMA

Chairman, Publicity, Events and Trade Services Committee of NCS, Shulammite Ayobami Ilebiyi, who gave insights about the NITMA Awards, said the awards have been characterised as a noble mission of encouraging individuals, institutions and organisations whose work, creativity and dedication continued to shape the future of technology in Nigeria.

“Over the years, the awards have evolved from a modest industry gathering into one of the most respected and credible honors within Nigeria’s ICT landscape. The NITMA has grown into a national symbol of achievement, honoring pioneers, visionary leaders, distinguished academics, transformative public sector champions, inspiring emerging talents and innovative organisations whose work continues to shape the digital future of our national development agenda and digital economy. NITMA represents far more than an awards ceremony. It has become a trusted benchmark of excellence. It reflects the values, aspirations and collective progress of Nigerian ICT as a whole,” Ilebiyi said.

She said the process was built on transparency, professionalism and fairness. Each honoree goes through a detailed evaluation guided by industry experts, ensuring that every recognition truly represents merit and impact.

“Technology remains a powerful enabler to national growth and the individuals we celebrate today have contributed significantly to shaping a smarter, more connected and more prosperous Nigeria.

So, I say congratulations to all awardees. On behalf of the organising committee, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to our partners, sponsors, our evaluators, media collaborators and volunteers. Your support has made the event a national movement that would continue to promote excellence in IT,” Ilebiyi further said.