Rise of the African Giant: Christabel Mebaghandu Urges Strategic Global Policy Leadership at NCS RISE 2026.

“How do we ensure that Nigeria is not only participating in the global digital economy, but effectively shaping the policies that govern it?”

This central question framed the discourse at the RISE 2026 International Conference, convened by the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS)—Nigeria’s foremost professional body for computing practitioners—held last week amidst the scenic backdrop of Jos, Plateau State.

Gathering industry leaders, technology professionals, policymakers, and academics under the theme “Harnessing Digital Innovation and Emerging Technologies for Inclusive Growth and Economic Renaissance,” the conference highlighted a critical shift: digital economy strategies are no longer isolated technical debates, but core pillars of national security and cross-border competitiveness.

The high-level engagement was underscored by the presence of key leaders, including the Executive Governor of Plateau State, H.E. Caleb Mutfwang, and Dr. Vincent O. Olatunji, National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), alongside other top government officials sharing visions for Nigeria’s technological trajectory.

A standout highlight of the international gathering was the plenary session on Policy, Regulation, and Digital Economy Governance, featuring Guest Speaker Christabel Mebaghandu. Delivered with pragmatic clarity, Mebaghandu’s presentation addressed the strategic imperative of cross-border digital policy for enabling Nigeria to fulfill its digital economy ambitions.

Mebaghandu emphasized that infrastructure and connectivity alone are no longer sufficient metrics for national success:

“The future of Nigeria’s digital economy will no longer be determined solely by how much digital infrastructure we build and deploy nor how many people come online. With the pace at which the world around us evolves, it will also largely depend on our presence and impact in rooms where global digital policies are developed, where technical standards are coordinated, where critical Internet—and increasingly interplanetary—resources are governed and, more importantly, how much value we translate from these processes.”

In recognition of her contributions to the discourse and her ongoing efforts in global digital policy, the Nigeria Computer Society presented Mebaghandu with an Award of Appreciation. accepting the honor, she noted it serves as a renewed charge to continue advancing Africa’s voice in global tech governance arenas.

As conference delegates departed Jos, the sentiment resonated clearly across plenary halls: for Nigeria to lead in the global digital era, active rule-making must go hand-in-hand with technological adoption.

About Author

Dr. Adebunmi Adeola Akinbo

Dr. Adebunmi Akinbo is a Researcher, Media Psychologist, Brand and Content Expert. He is an Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Fellow, Member of Association of Cyber Forensics and Threat Investigators (ACFTI), Associate Member of the Computer Professional Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN), and a Senior Member of Chartered Institute of Public Diplomacy & Management (CIPDM), He is passionate for information and solutions for ICT Challenges by the media for the global village.

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