Fifty trailblazers shaping the future of Nigeria’s digital landscape were recently celebrated at an award ceremony hosted by Knowhow Media. The prestigious event, which took place in Lagos, highlighted the impact of top innovators, policymakers, and entrepreneurs in propelling the country’s digital transformation.
Under the theme “Consolidating Progress – Addressing New & Emerging Challenges in Nigeria’s Digital Economy,” the gathering drew notable attendees from across government, private enterprise, and the tech sector. The initiative, organized by Knowhow Media—publishers of IT Edge News Africa—recognized the 50 Most Valuable Personalities (50MVPs) of 2025 for their significant contributions to the digital ecosystem.
Delivering the keynote on behalf of Benue State Governor, Fr. Hyacinth Alia, Deputy Governor Samuel Ode emphasized how digital innovation is reshaping Nigeria’s economic priorities. He pointed to recent figures showing that the ICT sector outpaced oil and gas in its contribution to national GDP in 2024—a milestone signaling a shift in economic drivers.
Highlighting Benue’s advancements, Ode noted the rollout of the State Digital Infrastructure Services Management Agency, the digitization of executive functions via the Benue Executive Council Management Systems, and widespread youth training in tech skills. These efforts, he said, represent Benue’s commitment to leveraging digital tools for governance and development.
Governor Alia’s message resonated strongly with attendees:
“Nigeria’s true strength will not be measured by how much oil we export, but by how many young people we equip with digital skills, how many underserved areas we connect, and how inclusive our digital economy becomes.”
A panel session followed the keynote, with experts urging investments in more data centers to improve connectivity and service delivery. They stressed that public-private collaboration is essential to unlocking digital growth, scaling innovation, and attracting capital to fund critical tech projects.
Among the awardees were:
-
Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, Governor of Benue State
-
Engr. Ike Nnamani, CEO, Digital Realty
-
Evelyn Lewis, CEO, SBTS Nigeria Limited
-
Oluwaseun Dania, Founder, Alpha-Geek
-
Happiness Obiora, CEO, Tizel Cybersecurity
-
Ayowande Adalemo, Founder, Wave5Wireless Limited
-
Professor Obadare Peter Adewale, Founder and CVO, Digital Encode Limited
-
Dr. Krishnan Ranganath (“Dr. Krish”), Regional Executive, West Africa, Africa Data Centres
This year’s 50MVPs recognition is an extension of the West Africa Convergence Conference (WACC), a long-running forum designed to foster dialogue and innovation in the West African tech ecosystem.
