The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Samuel Ogbuku, has said technology remains a key solution to unemployment in Nigeria.
He urged young people to embrace digital education and acquire relevant tech skills.
Ogbuku made the statement at the Port Harcourt Tech Expo 2026, a two-day innovation conference organised by TechNexus Limited in partnership with the NDDC in Port Harcourt.
The event brought together government officials, academics, industry players, and innovators to discuss the role of technology in national development and job creation.
He said emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), may displace some jobs but would also create new opportunities for those equipped with the right skills.
Ogbuku also highlighted intellectual property as a growing source of wealth creation in the modern digital economy.
The expo, themed “Syntropy,” received support from Renaissance Africa Energy Limited, Pana Holdings, and the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RIRS).
Speakers at the opening ceremony stressed that Nigeria must shift from being a consumer of technology to a producer of innovative digital solutions.
They called for stronger investment in research, innovation, and technology entrepreneurship to drive sustainable economic growth.
A representative of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Aristotle Onumo, said Nigeria’s digital future depends on inclusive development and strong digital literacy.
He also emphasised responsible AI governance and stronger public-private sector collaboration.
Rivers State ICT officials identified weak coordination among stakeholders as a major challenge affecting the growth of the state’s tech ecosystem.
They called for improved partnerships between government, academia, and private sector actors to accelerate digital transformation.
The Chairman of the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service, Israel Egbunefu, advocated a governance system driven by digital innovation and accountability.
He said technology should improve public service delivery, transparency, and revenue generation.
Panel discussions focused on education technology, cybersecurity, agriculture, and the creative economy.
Participants urged reforms in Nigeria’s education system to emphasise practical digital skills over theory-based learning.
They also encouraged young people to adopt continuous learning and develop skills aligned with emerging global job markets.
A facilitator, Mr. Iyene, advised participants to view themselves as “products in a competitive marketplace,” stressing the importance of personal branding and value communication.
LegalTech sessions highlighted the need for stronger digital laws, improved collaboration, and compliance with data protection regulations, alongside opportunities under AfCFTA.
In the energy sector, Renaissance Africa Energy Limited’s Igo Weli called for stronger partnerships to ensure sustainable development in the Niger Delta.
Healthcare discussions identified challenges such as poor infrastructure, unreliable power supply, and fragmented medical records.
Experts recommended telemedicine expansion, integrated health records, and improved digital health systems.
Zipline Nigeria showcased its drone delivery network, reporting over 190,000 medical deliveries and more than six million patients served.
Energy technology experts called for affordable decentralized solar solutions and improved regulatory frameworks.
Geo-spatial specialist Ross Alabo George urged innovators to build strong technical foundations before developing solutions.
FinTech discussions focused on expanding access to finance for SMEs through digital systems and improved credit models.
Victor Itota of Pana Holdings stressed that data remains central to Nigeria’s future industrial growth.
The expo concluded with a consensus that technology, innovation, and collaboration are essential for job creation and long-term economic development in Nigeria.
