The Rural Electrification Agency (REA), the Young Innovators of Nigeria (YIN), and the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Abuja Chapter, have reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating smart city development and driving Nigeria’s sustainable digital transformation.
The pledge was made on Friday in Abuja during the inauguration of the Program Steering Committee for the 4th Technology Ecosystem Dialogue (TED) 2026/Abuja Tech and Digital Economy Week, themed “Energizing Smart Mobility: Powering Cities of the Future.”
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of the REA, Abba Aliyu, represented by Assistant Director Bala Tyoden, said stronger collaboration between the energy and technology sectors was critical to achieving sustainable national development.
Aliyu noted that the agency’s mandate goes beyond rural electrification to include support for innovation, research, healthcare, agriculture, transportation, productive-use infrastructure, and digital development.
He said sustained engagement with innovators and private sector players would accelerate the deployment of modern energy solutions and strengthen Nigeria’s transition to smart, resilient, and sustainable communities.
According to him, technological innovation and strategic partnerships remain key to building energy systems capable of powering the cities of the future.
Executive Secretary of the Young Innovators of Nigeria, Joy Buba, stressed the need for collaborative governance to build smarter, more sustainable cities.
She said integrating technology, digital innovation, renewable energy, and intelligent mobility would not only improve urban living but also create employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
Buba described the Technology Ecosystem Dialogue as a strategic platform that brings together government agencies, private-sector players, academia, development partners, and innovators to develop practical solutions to position Abuja as a leading smart city and advance Nigeria’s digital economy agenda.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee and Chairman of the Nigeria Computer Society, Abuja Chapter, Andrew Abu, officially inaugurated the Program Steering Committee.
He described the dialogue as a key platform for shaping technology policies, strengthening strategic partnerships, and fostering innovation across Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
Abu said the 2026 edition would convene policymakers, industry leaders, innovators, investors, startups, academia, development partners, and government institutions to drive conversations on smart mobility, digital infrastructure, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and other emerging technologies.
He urged members of the steering committee to work collaboratively toward delivering a world-class event that would strengthen Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem, empower young innovators, attract strategic investments, and position Abuja as Africa’s premier hub for technology and digital economy discussions.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Technology Ecosystem Dialogue (TED) 2026/Abuja Tech and Digital Economy Week is scheduled to hold from November 25 to 27.
The event is expected to attract political leaders, technology companies, innovators, investors, development partners, academics, and policymakers to explore solutions for smart cities, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, digital transformation, and sustainable economic growth in Nigeria.
