By Jessica Dogo
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, says the Federal Government is leveraging technology to strengthen governance and protect vulnerable communities in the country.
Yilwatda made this known in a communiqué signed by Chukwuemeka Okafor, General Conference Chair for the 2025 Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Connecting the Unconnected (CTU) Summit, held in Abuja.
The summit, themed: ‘Connecting the Unconnected: Bridging Digital Frontiers’, brought together global technology leaders, telecom CEOs, international development institutions, and regulators to accelerate efforts toward universal broadband access across Africa.
The APC chairman explained that digital infrastructure such as the National Social Register (NSR) covering over 70 million individuals, with the integration of NIN and BVN databases had reduced fraud and ensured that social interventions reached intended recipients.
He also highlighted the government’s innovative use of AI-driven predictive analytics and geospatial tools to forecast floods and trigger early humanitarian action.
The chairman added,
“Engineering, data science, and digital governance are central to building a nation where no citizen is invisible.”
Yilwatda stressed that within nine months, digital tools helped verify the real identity of Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens, eliminate corruption in cash transfers through digital payments, and predict disaster risks in historically affected communities.
Okafor informed that policy makers, Engineers and industry leaders at the summit said that digital technology, engineering innovation and advanced data tools were now indispensable to tackling Nigeria’s development challenges.
The conference chair said it would also strengthen social protection systems, driving inclusive growth, and combating corruption in the country.
”These were the central messages from policymakers, engineers and industry leadersat the 2025 IEEE Connecting the Unconnected (CTU) EMEA Summit,” he said.
Earlier, Prof. Ifeyinwa Achumba, Chair, IEEE Nigeria Section, said that millions remained excluded from Nigeria’s digital economy and urged stakeholders to put hands-on-deck in building a digital future so that no community would be left out.
“This summit is a call to move from ideas to action. Let us work together to build a digital future where no community is left behind,” she said.
On his part, Mr Rex Mafiana, Managing Director of Flexip Group (FPG) Technologies and Solutions Ltd, said Africa’s connectivity expansion without parallel cybersecurity frameworks exposes citizens to fraud, data breaches, and online exploitation.
Mafiana urged governments and businesses to adopt security by design and zero yrust security principles as foundations for digital inclusion.
“Connectivity without cybersecurity turns access into exposure. Without trust, inclusion cannot exist,” he said.
The summit received goodwill messages from the NCC, NITDA, and the USPF, underscoring national commitment to universal broadband access. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)