By Juliet Umeh 

Technology experts and other stakeholders are set to converge in Lagos to explore digital solutions to challenges confronting Nigeria’s electoral process as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.

The experts will converge at the eighth edition of the Nigeria eGovernment Summit, scheduled to hold on September 10, 2026, with a focus on how emerging technologies can improve election management.

Chairman of the Nigeria eGovernment Summit and past President of the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria, ATCON, Engr. Lanre Ajayi, said the conference, with the theme, “Mainstreaming Technologies in Nigeria Election Management,” was informed by persistent challenges and irregularities in Nigeria’s electoral process, which he said had eroded citizens’ confidence in elections.

Ajayi said Nigeria must embrace digital technology to strengthen election management and restore public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to him, “Nigeria is entering into another election cycle in 2027, and the campaigns of political parties have commenced. As the election draws near, there is a need to adopt digital technology solutions that will enable hitch-free elections built on citizens’ trust.

“The summit will feature technology experts who will discuss the opportunities presented by the adoption of digital technologies in electoral processes.

“The objective is to examine how technology can be deployed to address some of the challenges that have continued to affect our electoral system and ensure that the process becomes more transparent, efficient and credible.”

Ajayi said the summit would provide stakeholders with an opportunity to examine how emerging technologies could improve transparency, efficiency and citizens’ participation in elections.

He added that digital tools could play a significant role in strengthening different aspects of election management, from voter registration and verification to election-day processes, results management and citizen engagement.

He said: “Technology has transformed virtually every sector of society, and elections should not be left behind. We need to look at practical ways technology can help us reduce human errors, improve transparency and strengthen the integrity of the electoral process.

“We are bringing together experts and stakeholders to have a serious conversation about what is possible and how Nigeria can deploy technology responsibly to achieve better electoral outcomes.”

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State was nominated for the Digital Transformation Award for his administration’s SHINE Agenda and efforts to strengthen state-owned digital infrastructure.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State was nominated for the Public Safety & Security Technology Award following the deployment of two Diamond DA42 MNG Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft to support security operations.

Governor Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River State was nominated in the eGovernment Transformation category for digitisation initiatives under his People First Agenda.

Other nominees include Governors Nasir Idris of Kebbi, Alex Otti of Abia, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of Enugu, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Uba Sani of Kaduna, Pastor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos.

Ajayi said certificates and award prizes would be presented to the winners at the summit, adding that the event would further promote technology-driven governance and solutions for Nigeria’s electoral challenges.

As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, technology experts and other stakeholders will converge in Lagos to explore digital solutions to challenges confronting the country’s electoral process.

The eighth edition of the Nigeria eGovernment Summit, scheduled for September 10, 2026, will focus on the theme, “Mainstreaming Technologies in Nigeria Election Management.”

Chairman of the Nigeria eGovernment Summit and past President of the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria, ATCON, Engr. Lanre Ajayi, said the theme was informed by irregularities in Nigeria’s electoral process which, according to him, had eroded citizens’ confidence in elections.

Ajayi, in a statement, said Nigeria must embrace digital technology to improve election management ahead of 2027.

“Nigeria is entering into another election cycle in January 2027, and the campaigns of political parties have commenced. As the election draws near, there is need to adopt digital technology solutions that will enable hitch-free elections built on citizens’ trust.

“The summit will feature technology experts that will discuss the opportunities of adopting digital technologies in electoral processes,” he said.

According to him, the summit would provide stakeholders with an opportunity to examine how emerging technologies could improve transparency, efficiency and citizens’ participation in elections.

Ajayi also announced the nomination of several governors for the Nigeria eGovernment Excellence Awards 2026, in recognition of their digital transformation initiatives.

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State was nominated for the Digital Transformation Award for his administration’s SHINE Agenda and efforts to strengthen state-owned digital infrastructure.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State was nominated for the Public Safety & Security Technology Award following the deployment of two Diamond DA42 MNG Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft to support security operations.

Governor Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River State was nominated in the eGovernment Transformation category for digitisation initiatives under his People First Agenda.

Other nominees include Governors Nasir Idris of Kebbi, Alex Otti of Abia, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of Enugu, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, Uba Sani of Kaduna, Pastor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos.

Ajayi said certificates and award prizes would be presented to the winners at the summit, adding that the event would further promote technology-driven governance and solutions for Nigeria’s electoral challenges.