Theme: “Future-Forward – Harnessing the Power of Youth, Innovation, and Technology for National Economic Growth”
Date: Saturday, June 14, 2025
Venue: Oriental Hotel, Lagos, NigeriaOrganised by: DigiVation Network
The Lagos Future Conference 2025 convened policymakers, youth leaders, innovators, tech entrepreneurs, civil society groups, and representatives of federal and state agencies to discuss Nigeria’s digital future and explore solutions for inclusive national economic development through innovation and youth empowerment.
After extensive deliberations, keynote speeches, and breakout sessions, the following key observations and resolutions emerged:
Participation:
The Lagos Future Conference 2025 drew participation from a cross section of the economy in both public and the private sectors. Some of the organisations and groups represented at the event include;
National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA),
Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC),
Nasarawa State Government,
National Identify Management Commission (NIMC),
Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE)
Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA)
Teledom Group Precise Financial Systems
Galaxy Backbone Limited
Arco Worldwide Services
Nigeria Computer Society (NCS)
The media community as well participants from key players in the Nigerian business community were also in attendance.
The summit attracted over 550 critical stakeholders, both from the public and private sector, including presence of large number of young startup founders; youths and students.
Keynote Highlights: NITDA DG Charts the Future of Nigeria’s Digital Economy at Lagos Future Conference 2025
Nigeria’s Youth: The Greatest Catalyst for Change
In his keynote address, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the director general of NITDA said: “Our future is not ahead of us—it is already here.”
With over 70% of Nigeria’s population under 35, the DG called for bold investments in digital education, skills development, and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
“Nigerian youth are not just passive users of technology; they are global innovators, from building fintech unicorns like Flutterwave to powering global software teams.
“In 2024, Nigerian startups raised over $1.2 billion, solidifying Nigeria’s place as Africa’s top tech ecosystem”, he said through a representative, Dr. Aristotle Onumo, the director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships at NITDA.
Innovation is the New Oil
“The Fourth Industrial Revolution is not coming—it’s here,” the NITDA Boss said
Nigeria must prioritize AI, Blockchain, IoT, Big Data, and Cloud Computing as the building blocks of the new economy.
The DG highlighted key government-backed enablers:
oNigeria Startup Act
oNational Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Policy (NDIEP)
oTechnology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Support Scheme (TIES)
oNational Centre for AI and Robotics
oOffice for Nigeria Digital Innovation
Technology Is Driving National Growth
Nigeria’s digital economy contributed 18.44% to GDP in Q2 2024—surpassing oil and gas for the first time.
Fintech sector alone processed over $800 billion in transactions in 2024.
With over 40 million new internet users projected by 2025 (GSMA), digital inclusion and infrastructure are top priorities.
NITDA’s Roadmap for a Digital Nigeria (SRAP 2024–2027)
Inuwa said: “Code is currency. Innovation is the new infrastructure.”
Key focus areas include:
oDigital literacy and talent development
oCybersecurity and data protection
oTech infrastructure expansion
oPolicy frameworks for innovation and entrepreneurship
oAlignment with President Tinubu’s 8-Point Renewed Hope Agenda
Partnerships Are the Future
The DG emphasized multi-stakeholder collaboration:
oGovernment: to enable and regulate
oPrivate sector: to innovate and scale
oAcademia: to prepare digital-ready talent
oInternational partners: to fund, support, and scale innovation hubs
A special call was made to include women, persons with disabilities, and underserved communities in the digital economy.
A Call to Action
“Our greatest asset is not underground, it’s in our classrooms, co-working spaces, and innovation hubs,” the NITDA DG said.
“To Nigeria’s youth: You are not the leaders of tomorrow, you are the disruptors of today.
“To investors and industry leaders: Now is the time to double down on innovation and inclusion.
“To every Nigerian: The future belongs to those who build it. Let us create a digital Nigeria together.
Quote to Remember:
“This is our task. This is our moment. The future is forward. The future is now,” Inuwa said.
PANEL SESSION: Experts Call for Cultural Reawakening, Local Innovation and Inclusive Tech Growth
At the heart of the Lagos Future Conference 2025, an engaging and thought-provoking panel session brought together a diverse lineup of technocrats, entrepreneurs, engineers, and youth advocates to deliberate on the future of innovation in Africa and how it can drive inclusive national growth.
With the theme “Africa and the Future: Sustaining Innovation through Youth and Technology”, the panel moderated by Mojisola Alabi explored a wide array of topics, from cultural identity to digital infrastructure, fintech, education, and youth engagement.
The session included speakers from both, the public and private sectors, each offering insight into the complex ecosystem of African innovation.
Dr. Emmanuel Ekwueme: The ‘Colo-mentality’ Holding Us Back
Kicking off the session with a history-infused reflection, Dr. Emmanuel Ekwueme, CEO of Teledom Group criticized Africa’s enduring “colonial mentality”, a term coined to describe the psychological subjugation that devalues local products in favour of imported alternatives.
“We’ve been brainwashed to believe that sugar made by a white man is sweeter,” he quipped, calling on Africans to embrace local innovation. “Until we patronize our own products, sustainability will remain a mirage.”
Dr. Nkechi Newton: Infrastructure and Talent Must Rise Together
Dr. Nkechi Newton, representing Engineer Ikechukwu, CEO, Digital Realty Nigeria, emphasized that Africa is at a critical point where both infrastructure and talent must evolve hand in hand.
She highlighted the rising relevance of data sovereignty, noting that “keeping data where it’s generated” is now a global best practice.
“We must create an appetite for local services, hosting our data at home, investing in our engineers, and supporting research and development,” she added, calling for cultural-revolution and manpower investment similar to China’s tech evolution model.
Oluwatoyin Banjo: Youth Must Own the Narrative
Dressed in proudly Nigerian attire, Oluwatoyin Banjo, a youth and development expert, spoke about the role of self-responsibility in preserving African heritage in the age of technology.
“We are the government. We must be true ambassadors of our culture, not just in words but in action,” she stated, adding that wearing local fashion or supporting African creators is a statement of identity and resistance.
Gideon Alaka: Financial Inclusion Starts with African Collaboration
Gideon Alaka, a director at Precise Financial Systems emphasized the need for intra-African collaboration in fintech and innovation.
“It costs more to travel to Liberia from Nigeria than to fly to Canada. That’s a problem,” he said. “If we’re going to be the giant of innovation, we must start by breaking down the borders that divide us.”
Shulammite Ilebiyi: Diversity Goes Beyond Gender
Tech consultant, Mrs. Shulammite Ilebiyi urged the audience to view diversity and inclusion beyond gender to include those with limited access and from marginalized communities.
“Inclusiveness means representation in rural areas, among different age groups, and varying capacities. Everyone has a role to play,” she explained, stressing the need for employers and ecosystem leaders to reach beyond urban centers.
Dr. Tola Yusuf: Reprogramming the African Mindset
Dr. Yusuf, a telecommunications expert, delivered a fiery challenge, highlighting the dangers of inferiority complex and flawed value systems among Nigerian youth.
“Many students today are simply waiting to graduate and japa,” he said. “We must domesticate our solutions. A Nigerian problem needs a Nigerian solution, not a borrowed one from Silicon Valley.”
He added that until youth see value in their-own identities and environments, true innovation will remain elusive.
Engr. Tinuke Olawuyi: Innovation Must Start at the Foundation
Engineer Olawuyi advocated for strong foundational education in science and technology.
“The basics must be solid. We can’t rely on importing every solution,” she said. She urged youth to embrace vocational skills and be proud of homegrown inventions like the yam-pounding machine invented by a Nigerian professor.
Dr. Oluseyi Akindeinde: Rethinking Education for the AI Generation
Joining virtually, Cybersecurity and AI expert Dr. Oluseyi Akindeinde highlighted how over-reliance on AI tools like ChatGPT exposes the flaws in Nigeria’s education system.
“Our system rewards cramming and punishes failure. That’s the real issue, not AI,” he noted. He advocated for education reform to promote problem-solving and collaborative learning instead of rote memorization.
Andrew Abu: Innovation Born from Hunger
Concluding the panel was Andrew Abu, Founder of Young Innovators of Nigeria. He shared his personal journey from humble beginnings to creating defense vehicles and founding innovation hubs.
“Every Nigerian is an innovator, because our environment challenges us daily,” he declared. He introduced his “Four A’s of Innovation”: Awareness, Access, Adoption, and Application.
Abu also underscored the importance of mentorship, urging experienced professionals to support youth-led ventures.
Conclusion: Collaboration Is the Future
As the session wrapped, one message resonated clearly: Africa’s future lies in collaboration, across generations, sectors, and borders. The Lagos Future Conference panel not only challenged the status quo but also inspired a call to action, where innovation must be intentional, inclusive, and identity-driven.
OBSERVATIONS
1.Youth as Drivers of Innovation; Nigeria’s youth—constituting over 70% of the population—are its greatest resource. With appropriate investment, mentorship, and enabling policies, they can drive innovation and global competitiveness across sectors.
2.Technology as the Backbone of Development: Technology is no longer just a sector but the backbone of agriculture, health, education, governance, finance, and more. Nigeria’s digital economy already contributes over 18% to GDP and has the potential to surpass oil and gas as the primary economic driver.
3.The Role of Digital Identity: Proper digital identity systems, championed by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), is essential for inclusive access to services such as education, finance, and healthcare. The NIN plays a pivotal role in fostering digital inclusion and national development.
4.Disconnect between Government and Innovators: Significant gap exists between youth-driven innovation and government structures. There is an urgent need to bridge this divide to empower startups and support grassroots talent.
5.Importance of Rural Connectivity: More than 23 million Nigerians remain unconnected to the internet, with infrastructure largely concentrated in three major cities. Rural communities are digitally excluded, exacerbating inequality.
6.Cyber Responsibility and National Values: The digital age requires responsible digital citizenship that respects cultural norms, protects intellectual property, and upholds national security.
7.Mentorship and Capacity Building: Professional bodies such as NCS and NSE emphasized the need to mentor and equip young professionals through education, networking, and skills development.
8.Startup Funding and Policy Execution: Stakeholders highlighted the need for actionable financing of the Nigeria Startup Act (NSA) and urged government agencies to deploy funds that enable entrepreneurship.
9.Strategic Infrastructure Initiatives: Institutions like Galaxy Backbone are expanding high-speed broadband infrastructure to all 774 LGAs and partnering with global tech players to improve digital access.
10.Data Protection as Youth Opportunity: The NDPC unveiled several initiatives including training over 500 youth as Data Protection Officers (DPOs) and launching privacy clubs in schools to create jobs and raise awareness.
RESOLUTIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS
1.Institutionalize Support for Startups: Government and private sector stakeholders must allocate specific resources to support the implementation of the Nigeria Startup Act, with measurable impact at state and LGA levels.
2.Expand Rural Digital Infrastructure: Telecom regulators, ISPs, and infrastructure firms must accelerate last-mile connectivity, supported by tax incentives and universal access funds.
3.Promote Responsible Cyber Culture: Educational campaigns must be introduced to promote responsible online behaviour, digital rights, and national value systems among youth.
4.Enhance Digital Identity Coverage: NIMC should deepen its collaboration with state governments and private partners to scale NIN enrollment, especially in rural and underserved communities.
5.Scale Youth Technical Training: Agencies like NITDA and NDPC should expand programs that provide globally competitive tech skills, e.g., software engineering, cybersecurity, data science—to build a robust innovation workforce.
6.Mainstream Data Protection in Education: The inclusion of data privacy and protection modules in both secondary and tertiary institutions was recommended to boost youth employability and protect Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
7.Create Innovation Hubs in All Zones: Replicating success stories like the Ilorin Innovation Hub, stakeholders recommended the establishment of tech clusters in all geopolitical zones to drive local economic growth.
8.Promote Drone and Emerging Tech Industries: Institutions were urged to support industries like drone tech, AI, and IoT through education, funding, and regulatory clarity. Arco Worldwide’s Aviation Academy was highlighted as a model initiative.
9.Mentorship Frameworks for Young Professionals: Professional bodies should formalize mentoring programs that help bridge the skills gap and support career growth in tech, engineering, and innovation.
10.Track and Publish Impact Metrics: Annual digital economy reports should include youth innovation indices, startup success stories, and impact metrics of government programs to guide future policy.
CLOSING REMARKS
The Lagos Future Conference 2025 reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to embrace a future powered by technology, fueled by youth, and sustained by innovation. All stakeholders pledged commitment to nurturing a digital ecosystem where every young Nigerian can contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economic and technological advancement.
The conference concluded with the official unveiling of the book “The Nigeria Digital Heroes” by Dr. Bayero Agabi, celebrating the pioneers who shaped Nigeria’s digital landscape.
Issued by:
DigiVation Networks
Host, Lagos Future Conference 2025
Date: July 4, 2025
Signed by:
Dr. Bayero Agabi,
President, DigiVation Networks
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