The Chief Executive Officer of Digital Realty Nigeria, Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani, has been scheduled to lead a strategic discussion on Data Centres and the Digital Economy as part of operators’ commentary at the upcoming 15th West Africa Convergence Conference (WACC) 2026.
The high-profile event, which will also host the “50 Most Influential Figures in Nigeria’s Digital Economy” awards, is slated to take place next month in Lagos.
According to the organizers, Nnamani will dissect the critical role that data centres play as Nigeria’s digital economy scales to new heights.
“Engr. Nnamani was carefully selected to lead this strategic discussion as a pioneer in digital infrastructure investment, who is widely recognised for his role in bridging the digital divide and attracting global capital into Nigeria’s ICT ecosystem,” said Dr. Sola Afolabi, Chairman of WACC 2026.
Organised by Knowhow Media International, publishers of IT Edge News.Africa since 2004, the West Africa Convergence Conference has, for over two decades, served as a vital bridge between government policy and private-sector innovation.
Dr. Afolabi noted that the conference remains a critical platform for shaping national dialogue on digital transformation and economic development.
The operators’ commentary will benefit immensely from the experience of Ikechekwu Nnamani, who is also the former President of the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON). Speaking on the theme, “Data Centres and the Digital Economy: An Operator’s Viewpoint,” Nnamani is expected to detail how foundational infrastructure underpins software, financial technology, and e-governance solutions.
As data sovereignty and localized cloud storage become paramount for national security and business efficiency, Nnamani’s insights will provide a roadmap for sustaining the massive capital inflows required to power Nigeria’s virtual architectures.
WACC 2026 boasts an expansive scope, drawing in chief executives of ICT and telecommunications companies, data centre operators, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), banks, and fintech firms. Joining them will be regulators, venture capital investors, startup founders, academics, and professional associations.
A unique highlight of this year’s convergence is the dedicated subnational focus. Several state governments are expected to participate through an investor’s pitch session. This segment will allow states to showcase their localized digital governance initiatives, regional broadband infrastructure projects, and investment-ready opportunities directly to venture capitalists and development finance institutions.
The urgency surrounding WACC 2026 is punctuated by explosive economic data. Nigeria’s ICT sector has rapidly expanded to contribute more than 18% of the nation’s GDP, reinforcing its position as the definitive cornerstone of economic diversification away from oil.
As Nigeria begins to eye the 2027 general elections, the conference is uniquely poised to shape the policy thinking, regulatory frameworks, and long-term investment decisions that will define the country’s socio-economic landscape for the next decade.
The conference keynote and headline Policy Colloquium will be delivered by Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Under the theme, “Leveraging Technology for Development in Nigeria, 2027–2031: Delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda,“ Yilwatda will frame technological adoption as both a political and economic necessity.
A renowned academic and digital systems engineer with a PhD in the field, Prof. Yilwatda brings over two decades of hands-on experience in large-scale IT frameworks, including a 12-year tenure as Director of ICT at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi. Describing WACC as strategically aligned with post-2027 development visions, Yilwatda commended Knowhow Media International for maintaining a credible, non-partisan platform to engage innovators, investors, and policymakers alike.
To address the funding realities of this digital push, Armstrong Ume Takang, CEO of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), will lead discussions on investment frameworks. MOFI, Nigeria’s restructured federal asset management and investment institution, manages a portfolio exceeding $40 billion.
Takang, a seasoned private equity expert and former Special Adviser to the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, famously spearheaded Project Lighthouse—a sophisticated big-data analytics platform driving federal revenue generation. At WACC 2026, Takang will outline MOFI’s innovation-led investment strategies, public-private partnership (PPP) opportunities, and financing models aimed at backing smart governance and digital infrastructure.
A secure digital economy requires rigid guardrails and progressive regulations. WACC 2026 will feature executive regulatory addresses designed to outline compliance expectations:
- Data Protection and Ethics: Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner and CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), will speak on “From Awareness to Accountability: Strengthening Data Protection Compliance in Nigeria’s Digital Economy.” His address will explicitly target protecting citizens within an emerging AI-driven economy. Notably, the NDPC recently partnered with INEC to safeguard the personal data of over 94 million voters ahead of the 2027 elections.
- Infrastructure and Talent Pipelines: Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General and CEO of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), will detail priority digital infrastructure initiatives and innovation-driven regulations. Abdullahi’s brief will focus heavily on youth skills acquisition, creating tech talent pipelines, and generating sustainable digital jobs.
Beyond the technical panels, the event will host the prestigious 50 Most Influential Figures in Nigeria’s Digital Economy 2026 Awards. Frequently described as the technology sector’s “Oscars,” the awards celebrate outstanding individuals and institutions driving innovation, capital capacity building, and digital literacy across the nation.