LCCI seeks updated ICT policies

By Merit Ibe

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has remarked that government must update Nigeria’s ICT policies to align with 21st-century realities.

President of the chamber, Gabriel Idahosa, made the remark yesterday at the ICTEL Expo 2025 organised by the chamber in Lagos themed: Leveraging Technology for Innovation and Development in Africa, “Where he explained that data privacy, cybersecurity, net neutrality, and artificial intelligence ethics must all be built into the nation’s national frameworks.
ICTEL Expo remains one of Africa’s premier platforms for driving digital transformation and technological innovation. This year’s theme, emphasized the importance of collaboration in unlocking the continent’s digital potential.
In his address, Idahosa emphasised the importance of harmonizing policies across ECOWAS to facilitate digital trade, cross-border payments, and open innovation across West Africa.
“We must commit to expanding digital infrastructure, particularly broadband. High-speed internet should be a right, not a luxury. We must ensure connectivity in Lagos and Abuja, as well as in villages and remote towns.”
He cited the case of Rwanda’s solar-powered digital kiosks and Mali’s off-grid, tech-enabled solar microgrids, noting that infrastructure development should be green, inclusive, and youth-oriented.
The LCCI boss noted that Nigeria must build ecosystems, not just projects, saying it is time to scale up innovation hubs, expand incubators, and incentivize partnerships between universities, corporations and investors. “The Chamber is committed to working with stakeholders to explore tech-driven opportunities through the LCCI-BOI Innovation Hub, which was launched recently in Lagos.
He said Nigeria could learn from the best models across Africa and localize those models to fit Nigeria’s dynamic economy.
“We must invest massively in digital skills and talent development. Africa’s greatest asset is its youth, and Nigeria must lead in training them for tomorrow’s jobs. Coding academies, AI bootcamps, online education, digital apprenticeships, and vocational ICT training must be mainstreamed. Our curricula must reflect today’s reality, not yesterday’s needs.”
He reiterated the need to prepare our young minds to consume technology and create it.
The LCCI boss pointed to the importance of access to finance which remains critical.
“We must crowd in capital from both local and international investors. The government can facilitate blended finance mechanisms, encourage diaspora bonds, and offer guarantees for tech investments. Regional banks and fintechs must also do more to support early-stage innovation.”
In agriculture, technology, we must drive precision farming, drone-based surveillance, and smart irrigation. In health, we must scale telemedicine, digital health records, and platforms like LifeBank, which is already saving lives through real-time logistics. In education, we must explore hybrid models, virtual classrooms, and mobile-first learning tools that break the boundaries of traditional schools.”
He advised that as we boldly embrace this digital age, we must guard against certain risks.
“Be clear: innovation brings exposure to cyber threats, data misuse, and inequality. We must ensure our policies are robust enough to protect users while encouraging fair competition. We must also protect against digital monopolies that suppress local players and distort markets. Additionally, digital exclusion is absolute. If we do not bridge the digital divide, we risk leaving millions of rural dwellers behind. And we must stem the brain drain by making Africa not just a place of training, but a place of opportunity.”
The Expo featured keynote addresses, panel discussions, live demonstrations, and exhibitions spotlighting emerging technologies and innovative solutions across sectors.
The discussions reflected enduring commitment to shaping the future of ICT education, innovation, and digital inclusion in Nigeria and beyond.
The speakers also spoke on the role digital infrastructure plays in innovation, highlighting that innovation cannot thrive without a resilient digital backbone.
The speakers empahsised on investing in systems, infrastructure, digital infrastructure cannot innovate but can empower innovators.
In attendance were representatives from the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), underscoring the event’s national relevance and the shared commitment of stakeholders to Nigeria’s digital transformation.

Notable dignitaries included Mr. Tubosun Alake, Commissioner for Innovation, Science & Technology, Lagos State; Mrs. Tola Odeyemi, Postmaster General, NIPOST; Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General/CEO, NITDA; Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, NCC; Engr. Bisoye Coker-Odusote, Director-General/CEO, NIMC; and Mr. Mohamad Darwish, CEO, IHS Nigeria, among others.