Bosun Tijani, Osinbajo to speak as BudgIT, EiE host TNCG conference in Lagos

Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation, and digital economy and former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, will speak at the sixth edition of the conference on technology, new media, citizens, and governance (TNCG).

BudgIT, a civic-tech non-profit organisation, and Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE), a civil society organisation (CSO), are organising the conference that will be held on November 28 in Lagos.

The conference, with the theme ‘Technology: The present and future of political action in Africa,’ aims to explore how technology can drive political engagement, improve government service delivery, and enhance accountability across the continent.

Formerly known as the new media, citizens, and governance conference, this year’s event has been rebranded to reflect the growing impact of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), on governance.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Thursday, Gabriel Okeowo, BudgIT country director, said Osinbajo will deliver the keynote address, while Tijani will participate in panel discussions and deliver the closing remarks.

Okeowo added that policymakers, private sector leaders, academics, students, and civil society actors will explore how technology and new media are reshaping governance in Africa, sharing best practices for political activism and reform.

“Our goal for this conference is to examine the role and impact of new media technology on political action across Africa,” he said.

“Technology has advanced participatory democracy on the continent but still faces challenges.

“We’re particularly focused on the role of artificial intelligence, with discussions integrated into breakout and plenary sessions.”

Okeowo also noted that a dedicated session would assess elections in Africa and examine how new media can strengthen engagement between citizens and their governments.

He added that EiE has introduced the “Office of the citizen” chatbot on WhatsApp, which allows citizens to access government information.

He harped on the potential of similar technologies to bridge the gap between leaders and the public.

“This conference will serve as a platform to share best practices on using technology, new media, and AI to promote democracy, improve elections, and foster political engagement across Africa,” he added.

Also speaking, Opeyemi Adamolekun, EiE executive director, noted how the conference has grown to address the role of technology in African governance.

“Enough is Enough Nigeria has been part of this conversation since 2012, and twelve years later, it remains crucial,” Adamolekun said.

“The conference initially focused on new media and governance, then expanded to citizen engagement, and now includes technology to reflect the current landscape.”

This year’s theme, she noted, captures the role of technology in political action.

Adamolekun said the conference will open with a panel on “The intersection of technology, new media, and political action in Africa: Demand and supply perspectives.”

She added that a session on Nigeria will examine the nation’s 25 years of democracy, from the era of radio activism to today’s digital platforms like TikTok and AI.

Representatives from Lagos state’s office of citizen engagement are also expected to discuss how e-governance is being used to engage citizens in the state.

Two breakout sessions will focus on current technological applications and emerging technologies for governance and electoral integrity, allowing for in-depth exploration of both demand and supply perspectives.

“A panel on the private sector’s role in political engagement will follow, with contributions from corporate innovators such as Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter,” she added.

“This session, in partnership with Covington & Burling, will explore how private entities view their influence in civic technology.

“To conclude, EiE, in collaborating with TASCK, a creative talent management organisation, will host a competition, encouraging content creators to pitch ideas for making governance content engaging.

“Judges, including popular figures like Mr. Macaroni, will award prizes for the best skits.

“Dr. Tijani, with extensive experience across civil society, academia, and the private sector, will wrap up the event with insights on the intersection of these sectors.”

Other speakers at the event will include Ousman Kallay of iLAB Liberia; Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, managing director of Futures Africa, Nigeria; Mutemi Wa Kiama, co-chair of Africans Rising Movement Coordinating Collective, Kenya; and Hannah Kates of Stears Open Data, an American based in Nigeria.

This year’s conference is sponsored by the Centre for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) and Paradigm Initiative.

The event’s media partners include TheCable, Business Day, Tech Cabal, Premium Times, Women Radio, and News Central.