Stakeholders in Nigeria’s technology sector on Thursday called for the mainstreaming of technology in election management to strengthen trust, credibility, and security ahead of the 2027 elections.
They made this call at the 2026 Nigerian e-Government Summit and Awards Night in Lagos, themed: “Mainstreaming Technologies in Nigeria Election Management.”
The stakeholders emphasized that election technology should no longer be treated as a seasonal procurement exercise conducted every four years.
They advocated for sustained investment in digital infrastructure, local expertise, and cybersecurity to ensure effective and credible election management.
Dr. Emmanuel Ayoola, President of the Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN), stated that the technology industry was ready to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in strengthening its systems for the 2027 elections.
Ayoola emphasized the need for sustained local capacity, involving engineers and data scientists, to develop and maintain the technologies necessary for credible elections.
He highlighted that emerging technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence could support transparent electoral auditing when deployed within a reliable and accountable framework.
The ITAN president also stressed the importance of a “trust architecture” to protect citizens from misinformation and malicious redirection when accessing election-related information online.
He identified Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) as a measure to help ensure citizens reach authentic digital platforms during elections.
Dr. Kenny Joda, Executive Member of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), said reliable connectivity was critical for deploying digital election technologies successfully.
Joda stressed that connectivity must extend beyond major cities to rural communities and called for collaboration among INEC, government, telecom operators, and security agencies.
He added that cybersecurity and data protection should be viewed as fundamental components of election integrity, not just technical afterthoughts.
Prince Oyekanmi Elegushi, General Manager of the Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA), noted that digital elections depend not only on software but also on physical infrastructure like fiber-optic networks and reliable power.
Elegushi explained that LASIMRA’s “Duct One” initiative was designed to host multiple networks in shared underground ducts, reducing road excavations and connectivity disruptions.
He said the initiative has facilitated about $22 million in investments toward developing approximately 30,000 kilometers of fiber duct infrastructure across Lagos.
According to him, this shared infrastructure can help telecom operators provide reliable connectivity for electoral traffic, including during the 2027 elections.
Mr. Kunle Olurundare, President of the Internet Society Nigeria Chapter, emphasized that protecting information integrity is essential for building public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
Olurundare urged stakeholders to harmonize their efforts in identifying and addressing vulnerabilities that could undermine trust in digital election systems.
In his welcome address, Mr. Lanre Ajayi, Convener of the e-Government Summit, stated that the summit provides a platform for government and private-sector stakeholders to translate technology into practical improvements in public service delivery.
Ajayi said the summit aims to move technology beyond pilot projects into an integrated and trusted part of Nigeria’s electoral architecture.
He added that discussions will focus on biometric registration, electronic result transmission, voter authentication, and other technologies, with an emphasis on transparency and accountability.
Ajayi concluded that digital transformation remains a shared responsibility among government, industry, civil society, and citizens, despite challenges like infrastructure gaps, cybersecurity threats, and the urban-rural digital divide.
