The Niger Delta is embarking on an ambitious transformation from oil dependency to a digitally driven future, with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) outlining a comprehensive roadmap aimed at reinventing the region’s economy by 2035.
Speaking at the 2025 Niger Delta Digital Summit held on June 25 at the EUI Event Centre in Port Harcourt, Patrick Isicheli, Assistant Director of Business Applications and Training at the NDDC, highlighted the strategic direction the Commission is taking.
“Our focus is on connectivity, capacity, and collaboration,” he said, describing the foundational pillars that will guide the region’s technological evolution.
The summit brought together a vibrant group of innovators and thought leaders.
Among them were Aaron Esumeh, Co-Founder of Hardware Garage; Olusegun Ekundayo, HUB Manager at CTEC; Tosin Bukun-Joseph, Founder and CEO of SYL Multimedia; Enyie Peter Kere, Managing Director of Tomkey Integrated Services; Professor Olufemi M. Adesope of the Department of Agricultural Extension and Development Studies at the University of Port Harcourt; and Stella Justin, Founder of Kedrus Academy.
For decades, the Niger Delta has been defined by its oil wealth and the environmental challenges that accompanied it. Now, regional stakeholders are determined to reimagine the future.
The new vision centres on building digital infrastructure, nurturing talent, and strengthening partnerships between government, academia, and the private sector.
“Our people need access to broadband, opportunities for training, and platforms for collaboration,” said Isicheli.
“The next generation of Niger Delta leaders will be digital creators, not just resource extractors.”
The summit also featured panel discussions on emerging technologies, digital entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.
Participants emphasized the need to equip young people with the skills required to thrive in the evolving global economy.
As Nigeria seeks to diversify its economy, the Niger Delta’s push into the digital frontier could serve as a model for other resource-rich regions across Africa.
The NDDC’s initiative is part of a broader national movement to harness innovation for inclusive and long-term growth.
With bold plans and growing momentum, the region known for its oil reserves is fast becoming a beacon of digital ambition.
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