Recently, Lagos State became the focal point for a significant gathering of innovation and ICT leaders, hosting Commissioners for Innovation, Science, and Technology alongside senior representatives from various states during the GITEX event in Lagos. This assembly, known as the ICT Commissioners Roundtable, served as a pivotal forum for collaboration and strategic alignment.
Designed as a nationwide initiative, the roundtable aims to synchronize digital priorities at the sub-national level with overarching federal policies. It also seeks to enhance cooperation among states and expedite the transition toward a digital economy that is inclusive, community-driven, and locally managed. The event attracted influential stakeholders from across Nigeria’s states, underscoring its importance.
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Among the distinguished attendees were Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, Chair of the Senate Committee on ICT & Cybersecurity; Hon. Olatunbosun Alake, Commissioner for Innovation, Science & Technology of Lagos State; Engr. (Mrs.) Ibilola Kasunmu, Permanent Secretary at Lagos State’s Ministry of Innovation, Science & Technology (MIST); Dr. (Prince) Lawrence Ezeh, Commissioner for Innovation, Science & Technology from Enugu State; and Dr. Justin Atiang Beshel, Commissioner for Science & Technology in Cross River State. Additionally, leaders from ICT agencies representing Jigawa, Katsina, Kaduna, Yobe, Nassarawa, Ogun, Niger, Plateau, Borno, Zamfara, and Ondo States participated, alongside a delegate from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
In his opening remarks, Hon. Olatunbosun Alake emphasized Lagos State’s commitment to advancing digital infrastructure, nurturing local talent, and reforming regulatory frameworks. He stressed the importance of Lagos setting a benchmark for other states to emulate and scale successful initiatives. Alake also highlighted recent state-led programs and expressed Lagos’s readiness to foster inter-state collaborations and technical partnerships to drive collective progress.
Concluding the session, Senator Shuaib urged participants to integrate ICT projects with their states’ broader developmental goals to secure political support and sustainable financing. He advocated for enhanced cooperation across ministries, noting that ICT success often hinges on alignment with sectors such as education, health, and finance. He also mentioned ongoing legislative efforts in the National Assembly aimed at bolstering innovation and cybersecurity through updated legal frameworks. Senator Shuaib underscored the necessity for a unified national digital strategy to ensure seamless integration of state-level initiatives.
Dr. Lawrence Ezeh from Enugu shared insights into his state’s ambitions for smart schools and smart city projects, citing the Enugu Tech Festival earlier in the year as a catalyst for talent identification and industry collaboration. Dr. Justin Atiang Beshel from Cross River provided updates on his state’s science and technology ventures, emphasizing the critical role of partnerships between government innovation programs and private sector capabilities.
Several states reported tangible progress in implementing their digital agendas: Ondo State is crafting a comprehensive ICT policy while revising its digital identity system; Jigawa announced the formation of the Jigawa State Information Technology and Digital Economy Agency (JISITDEA) and efforts to restore its Galaxy Backbone connectivity; Zamfara revealed the launch of a Digital Literacy Framework scheduled for July 2025. Multiple states also highlighted the establishment of dedicated Information Technology Development Agencies to oversee local digital initiatives.
Despite these advancements, the roundtable discussions revealed persistent challenges. Delegates pointed to inadequate inter-state cooperation and a lack of alignment with federal directives as obstacles to scaling successful projects. Common issues included funding shortages, bureaucratic hurdles, and difficulties in attracting and retaining qualified digital professionals. The consensus was that formalized exchange programs, collaborative projects, and regular peer evaluations could bridge these gaps and accelerate nationwide implementation.
The forum also acknowledged the vital role of the private sector and development partners in driving innovation. While international technology companies were invited to contribute perspectives-particularly on open-source AI and developer ecosystems-the commissioners emphasized the forum’s focus on fostering Nigerian state ownership and nurturing indigenous solutions.
By the end of the meeting, participants agreed on several immediate actions: forming a working group to catalog existing state ICT resources; organizing a schedule of inter-state visits and technical knowledge exchanges; and creating a memorandum of understanding template to facilitate joint initiatives. The overarching goal is to institutionalize the ICT Commissioners Roundtable as a permanent mechanism for policy harmonization, shared procurement, talent mobility, and coordinated infrastructure investment across Nigeria.
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