Technology, finance and cybersecurity experts are set to converge in Lagos for GrowthX by Techeconomy 2026, with futurist and cybersecurity expert David Adeoye Abodunrin among the latest high-profile speakers unveiled for the event.
The conference, scheduled for Thursday, September 24, 2026, at The Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, will focus on the infrastructure, innovation and collaboration needed to accelerate Nigeria’s digital economy.
Abodunrin will deliver a keynote address titled “Trust by Design: Building Nigeria’s Next Generation of Digital Payments and Infrastructure,” bringing nearly three decades of experience spanning technology, finance, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and digital transformation to the conference.
His presentation is expected to examine the importance of trust, cybersecurity, resilience, and human behaviour in designing digital systems that support Nigeria’s next phase of economic growth.
Abodunrin has worked with organisations across areas such as cyber intelligence, digital sovereignty, enterprise architecture and strategic foresight. He is the founder of Cubed Integrated Consulting and Cyberfore Consulting and author of Fintech Black Box: The Silent Code Replacing Global Power.
His participation adds a strategic perspective to discussions around the future of Nigeria’s digital economy, particularly amid rapid developments in artificial intelligence, digital payments, data infrastructure and cybersecurity.
Joining him on the GrowthX stage is Dennis Ajalie, chief executive officer of TeamApt Limited, who brings extensive experience in developing payment infrastructure and expanding access to digital financial services.
Ajalie’s work at TeamApt has included the development of payment systems serving financial institutions, businesses and consumers, with emphasis on reliability, interoperability and financial inclusion.
Ikenna Odike, CEO of OUTCESS, is another newly confirmed speaker. With more than two decades of experience across technology, customer engagement, business development and outsourcing, Odike has overseen the company’s growth across business process outsourcing, managed services, cloud, IT and digital transformation.
He has also participated in conversations on Nigeria’s potential to compete in the global business process outsourcing market by leveraging its human capital alongside technology and infrastructure.
The conference will also feature Oluwole Abegunde, vice president, Data & Insights at Insiyhtcs, who has nearly two decades of experience in technology market intelligence and strategy across Africa.
Abegunde advises technology companies, telecom operators and digital businesses on market opportunities, customer insights, competition and growth strategies across African markets. His areas of interest include data, artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure and digital sovereignty.
Kehinde Ogundare, regional head for West Africa at Zoho Corporation, will provide an enterprise technology perspective at the event. He leads Zoho’s growth strategy and market expansion across the region, working with businesses on digital transformation, enterprise software, artificial intelligence and automation.
Also on the speaker list is Mr. Adesola Akinsanya, president of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) and chief operating officer/executive director at Upperlink Limited.
Akinsanya also doubles as the director of Upperlink Cloud subsidiary, where he spearheads business and strategy for the company’s cloud services. He brings several years of professional expertise and experience in the information technology industry, with a focus on infrastructure and cloud services.
Ebenezer Dare, a leadership coach passionate about business technology management, is another addition to the lineup. He is the co-founder and CEO of Hostlag Limited, a domain name and web hosting company.
Dare also serves as an Executive Member of the Board of Directors of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) and Cloudeans & Digital Technology Limited (BillsRecharge).
The latest additions join previously announced speakers, including Dr Ayotunde Coker, CEO of Open Access Data Centre (OADC); Blessing Ehize, CTO at First City Monument Bank (FCMB); Dr Krish Ranganath, CTO of UniCloud Africa; and Hakeem Adeniji-Adele, deputy managing director of eTranzact International Plc.
Other speakers earlier announced are Elsie Godwin, co-founder and COO of Cashwise Finance; Rarzack Olaegbe, producer of The Fintex Show on Nigeria Info 99.3 FM; Adeshina Adewumi, founder and CEO of Trade Lenda; Roseline Ilori, founder and CEO of Bridge57 Solutions Limited; Philip Aiwekhoe, CISO and data protection officer at NPF Microfinance Bank; Victor Daniyan, CEO of Nearpays Technologies; Abraham Durosawo, vice president at the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority; and Squadron Leader Adefola Amoo (Rtd), founder of GridCodes.
Under the theme “Driving Digital Growth Through Innovation and Collaboration,” GrowthX by Techeconomy is expected to bring together technology leaders, founders, investors, policymakers and other stakeholders to examine the infrastructure, policies and innovations shaping Nigeria’s digital economy.
Attendance is free, although pre-registration is required via the GrowthX registration page.
The conference will be followed by the TiLAwards at 4:00pm at the same venue, as part of Techeconomy’s ninth-anniversary activities.
