The Federal Government has underscored the growing role of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and fintech in shaping Nigeria’s evolving risk management architecture, as policymakers move to align innovation with long-term economic resilience.
This position was reinforced on Wednesday in Abuja at the 2026 National Risk Management Conference themed “Sustainable Technological Innovations and Risk Management for Resilient Economies,” where the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) called for a more strategic convergence between technological innovation and risk governance.
Speaking at the event as Special Guest of Honour, the SGF, represented by the Director, General Services in the Office of the SGF, Idris Yusuf Ibrahim, said the rapid expansion of digital technologies is fundamentally reshaping economies, governance systems and enterprise structures, while simultaneously introducing new categories of risk.
The SGF emphasised that digital transformation is now central to modern governance and economic planning, noting that technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, fintech, digital governance systems and predictive analytics are redefining how societies operate and how risks emerge.
He described the conference as a timely platform for stakeholders across government, industry, academia and development institutions to deliberate on strategies for strengthening resilience in a world increasingly shaped by technological disruption and uncertainty.
According to him, “the conference provides a vital platform for robust dialogue on strengthening economic resilience in the face of evolving global challenges, including rapid technological disruptions, climate uncertainties, financial volatility, cyber threats and complex geopolitical dynamics.”
The SGF emphasised that digital transformation is now central to modern governance and economic planning, noting that technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, fintech, digital governance systems and predictive analytics are redefining how societies operate and how risks emerge.
He stressed that while these innovations offer significant opportunities for growth and efficiency, they also create new vulnerabilities that must be actively managed within national policy frameworks.
“While innovation creates vast opportunities, it also introduces new risks. Therefore, technology and risk management must be viewed as complementary pillars of sustainable development,” he says.
The remarks highlight a growing policy direction in which digital innovation is no longer treated solely as an economic growth driver but also as a critical factor in national risk assessment and mitigation strategies.
The SGF further noted that countries seeking to remain competitive in the global digital economy must adopt proactive, data-driven and forward-looking governance approaches. He added that Nigeria’s long-term resilience depends on how effectively it integrates innovation with institutional safeguards and regulatory oversight.
He also stressed the importance of strengthening national systems to support the digital economy, including investments in research and development, expansion of digital infrastructure, improvement of regulatory frameworks and reinforcement of transparency and accountability mechanisms.
For Nigeria and the wider African continent, he said unlocking digital potential requires deliberate reforms capable of aligning innovation ecosystems with governance capacity.
He assured that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to implementing reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly those aimed at improving fiscal discipline, enhancing the ease of doing business, supporting innovation-driven enterprises and strengthening institutional efficiency.
In his welcome remarks, Dr. Abbas Idris, Chairman of the Risk Managers Society of Nigeria, said the global risk environment has become more complex and interconnected, requiring stronger coordination across sectors and institutions.
He pointed to the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, security challenges in the Sahel region and shifting global alliances as key drivers reshaping national and economic risk profiles.
“The evolving nature of risks,” he added, “ranging from economic volatility to security threats, requires deliberate, forward-thinking strategies across all sectors, noting that risk management is no longer optional but a critical necessity for sustainable development and national stability.”
A key highlight of the conference was the conferment of the Pillar of Risk Management Award of Excellence on the SGF by the Risk Managers Society of Nigeria, in recognition of his contributions to advancing risk governance discussions at national level.
The event also featured the official unveiling of Risk Management Digest, a new publication by the organisation aimed at strengthening professional discourse and advancing best practices in risk management across sectors.
The developments at the conference reflect a broader policy shift towards integrating technology governance with national risk frameworks, as Nigeria seeks to balance rapid digital innovation with economic stability and institutional resilience
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