Stakeholders Move to Strengthen Broadband, Internet Connectivity for Seamless Electoral Process

As Nigeria prepares for the next general elections in 2027, key players in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector have emphasized the importance of strengthening broadband and internet connectivity for smooth electoral processes across the nation's states. Speaking at The Nigeria eGovernment Summit and Awards 2026 in Lagos, the Commissioner for Science and Technology in Cross River State, Dr. Justin Beshel, highlighted that while technology is available in Nigeria, its success hinges on the environment in which it is deployed.

Beshel pointed out that the effectiveness of electoral technology depends on the environment it operates, citing challenges such as unreliable broadband connections in remote areas, which hinder seamless electoral processes. He stressed that Nigeria cannot solely rely on technology for technology-enabled elections; instead, it must build the necessary infrastructure and create a conducive policy environment to support technology deployment.

Mrs. Happiness Obioha, CEO of Tizel Cybersecurity, emphasized the need for a secured and trusted digital election ecosystem, highlighting the importance of governance, policy, and compliance, as well as building voter confidence through technologies like electronic poll books and AI analytics. Dr. Vincent Olatunji, CEO and National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, addressed the data protection aspect, stressing the importance of protecting citizens' data to build trust and confidence in the electoral process.

The summit, now in its eighth series, aims to advance digital governance and transform government services through the application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in collaboration between the public and private sectors.