Digitization | Sustainability | Optimization

28 - 30 April, 2026
Lagos, Nigeria

Co- Located With

Agenda Day 1

10:00 - 10:05

Welcome Address

Vertex Next

Speakers

Darshana Deka

Conference Producer, Vertex Next

Dr. Abba Aliyu

MD/CEO | Rural Electrification Agency (REA)

10:05 – 10:20

Signature Address- Strategic Role of Solar in Modernizing African Utility Networks and Accelerating Rural Electrification

Brief: This topic explores the strategic role of solar in modernizing African utility networks by improving grid efficiency and sustainability. It also highlights how solar energy can accelerate rural electrification, providing reliable and affordable power to underserved communities, thereby fostering economic growth and development across the continent. 

Speakers

Dr. Abba Aliyu

MD/CEO | Rural Electrification Agency (REA)

Dr. Abba Aliyu

MD/CEO | Rural Electrification Agency (REA)

10:20 - 10:35

Keynote Address- Accelerating Nigeria’s Digital Transformation and Infrastructure for Nigeria 2030 and Beyond

Brief-This session explores how AI and emerging technologies will accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation by 2030, focusing on the development of smart infrastructure, enhanced connectivity, and decentralized systems. It highlights how these innovations will reshape industries, improve urban mobility, drive sustainable growth, and position Nigeria as a leading player in the global digital economy.

10:30 – 11:10

Opening KeynotePanel – Building the Smart Cities of Africa: Harnessing AI & IoT for Urban Innovation 

Brief- This topic explores how AI and IoT are converging to create interconnected, adaptive urban ecosystems that enhance mobility, optimize resource use, and transform how African cities respond to challenges

Speakers

Angela Chilotam Nnamani

Head- Returns Payment Processing Unit | Nigeria Revenue Service

Marco Rebecchi

Country Manager | Nigeria and Ghana, Nokia

Akinbulejo Onabolu

Head- Enterprise Segments | MTN

Olakunle Falola

Executive Commissioner, Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC)

Johnson Agogbua

CEO, Kasi Cloud

Biodun Ogunleye

Honorable Commissioner Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources

Doris Dike

HR Professional

Marco Rebecchi

Country Manager | Nigeria and Ghana, Nokia

11:10 – 11:30

Networking Break I

11:35 – 11:45

Keynote Address- Satellite Systems, Earth Observation & IoT Integration: Architecting Nigeria’s Space-Enabled Data Infrastructure

Brief: This topic explores how Direct-to-Cell IoT enables devices to connect directly to satellites, bypassing the need for traditional cell towers and fiber networks. For Africa, this means reliable connectivity in remote and underserved regions, unlocking critical applications in agriculture, energy, logistics, disaster response, and smart infrastructure. By overcoming geographic and infrastructure barriers, Direct-to-Cell IoT can drive inclusive digital growth and extend the benefits of connectivity far beyond conventional networks. 

Speakers

Dr. Matthew Olumide Adepoju

Director General & Chief Executive | National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA)

Dr. Abba Aliyu

MD/CEO | Rural Electrification Agency (REA)

11:50 – 12:00

Keynote Address- The Rise of The Techo: Redefining the Role of Telcos in Africa’s IoT Future

Brief: This topic explores how Direct-to-Cell IoT enables devices to connect directly to satellites, bypassing the need for traditional cell towers and fiber networks. For Africa, this means reliable connectivity in remote and underserved regions, unlocking critical applications in agriculture, energy, logistics, disaster response, and smart infrastructure. By overcoming geographic and infrastructure barriers, Direct-to-Cell IoT can drive inclusive digital growth and extend the benefits of connectivity far beyond conventional networks. 

Speakers

David Ogunsola

General Manager : IT Operations, MTN

Dr. Abba Aliyu

MD/CEO | Rural Electrification Agency (REA)

12:05 – 12:35

Panel Discussion– The Future of Banking: Redefining Financial Services through AI Innovation

Brief: This topic explores how AI is reshaping Nigeria’s banking sector, driving innovation in financial services, improving customer experiences, and enhancing operational efficiency to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving digital economy.

Speakers

Aderinola Oloruntoye

Senior Industry Value Advisor - Africa | SAP

Emmanuel Tokunbo Adegoke

CIO, National Credit Guarantee Company (NCGC)

Dr. Harrison N. Nanaji

Chief Information Security Officer | First Bank, Nigeria

Ogheneriere Prince Okoro

Head- Software Engineer & Deputy CIO, Globus Bank

Olabiyi Igun

Head of Information Technology, Casa Microfinance Bank

Marco Rebecchi

Country Manager | Nigeria and Ghana, Nokia

12:40 – 13:30

Networking Lunch Break

13:35 – 13:55

Executive Dialogue- AI-Enhanced Mobility: Revolutionizing Nigeria’s Urban Transport with IoT Integration

Brief: This topic explores how AI and IoT are transforming urban mobility in Nigeria, leveraging real-time data and predictive analytics to streamline traffic, improve safety, and create seamless transport networks across cities.

Speakers

Hadiza Adukonu

Vice President-Opportunity Maturation & New Ventures, Oando Clean Energy

Adeyemi Adeniji

Technical Adviser Public Transport Roads | LAMATA-NG

Najeeb Mahmoud Abdussalam

MD / CEO | Trust Synergy

Ogheneriere Prince Okoro

Head- Software Engineer & Deputy CIO, Globus Bank

IfeOluwa Adesanya

Project & Program Manager, Cloudboosta

Marco Rebecchi

Country Manager | Nigeria and Ghana, Nokia

14:00 – 14:40

Boardroom Dialogue- Tech Transformation: A Masterclass to enable the C-Suite to Lead Digital Transformation in Nigeria

Brief: This topic explores how CEOs and CTOs can leverage AI to unlock data-driven insights, drive innovation, and lead the charge in creating next -generation business strategies that shape the future of their organizations.

Speakers

Daniel Adaramola

Chief Information Security Officer | SunTrust Bank Nigeria

Georges Dubien

MEA Sales Director – Datacenters | Exagate & Boreas

Dika Oha

CTO | OmniBiz

Dr Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji

Member, UNDP AI4Dev Reference Group

IfeOluwa Adesanya

Project & Program Manager, Cloudboosta

Marco Rebecchi

Country Manager | Nigeria and Ghana, Nokia

14:40 – 15:00

Networking Break II

15:05 – 15:40

Keynote Panel– From Connectivity to Cognitive Infrastructure: How Telecom & Internet Service Leaders Are Architecting West Africa’s AI-Integrated IoT Future 

Brief: This session will explore how telecom networks & ISPs in West Africa are transitioning from traditional connectivity providers to intelligent digital infrastructure enablers supporting AI-integrated IoT. It will highlight the role of 5G, fiber expansion, edge computing, and spectrum strategy in driving real-time analytics, automation, and smart solutions across sectors such as energy, logistics, agriculture, and smart cities, while addressing infrastructure readiness and regulatory frameworks. 

Speakers

Ina Alogwu

Chief Digital & Innovation Officer | T2 Mobile

Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere

President | Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria

Dr. Tola Yusuf

Founding Partner | Infratel

Muhammed Rudman

MD & CEO | IXP Nigeria

Aminé Tidjani

Global Sales Manager, OQ Technology

Muhammed Rudman

MD & CEO | IXP Nigeria

Faith Waithaka

Chairperson, Africa Data Centre Association

Marco Rebecchi

Country Manager | Nigeria and Ghana, Nokia

15:40 – 15:50

Closing Keynote: Fleet Intelligence & Maritime Digitization: Leveraging IoT and AI to Transform Global Logistics 

Brief: This session will examine how IoT-enabled fleet management, AI-driven predictive analytics, and real-time asset visibility are transforming maritime and intermodal logistics. It will highlight how leading global operators are leveraging smart fleet technologies to enhance efficiency, optimize routes and fuel usage, and build more resilient and sustainable supply chains. 

Speakers

Michael Adewuyi

Chairman | Maersk- Nigeria

Dr. Abba Aliyu

MD/CEO | Rural Electrification Agency (REA)

15:55 -16:00

Vote of Thanks

Vertex Next

 

Speakers

Darshana Deka

Conference Producer, Vertex Next

Dr. Abba Aliyu

MD/CEO | Rural Electrification Agency (REA)

Scroll to Top