GrowthX, TiLAwards open in Lagos with focus on digital innovation, collaboration - ITREALMS

The much-anticipated GrowthX by Techeconomy, the flagship annual executive dialogue and Technology Innovation & Leadership Awards (TiLAwards) platform under the Techeconomy Business Series, opens Thursday, September 24, 2026, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, reports ITREALMS.

Kicking off at 9:00 a.m. prompt under the theme Driving Digital Growth Through Innovation and Collaboration, the executive dialogue features goodwill messages from Mr. Adesola Akinsanya, president of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), and opening remarks by Dr. Ayotunde Coker, chief executive officer of Open Access Data Centre (OADC).

David Adeoye Abodunrin, founder of Cubed Integrated Consulting & Cyberfore, will deliver the keynote address, followed by lead presentations from Ikenna Odike, chief executive officer of OUTCESS; Dennis Ajalie, chief executive officer of TeamApt Limited; and Chika Nwosu, managing director of PalmPay.

The conference features three high-level panel sessions. The first session will examine Data Localisation, Security & Future of Payments in Nigeria, focusing on the Central Bank of Nigeria's recent data localisation directives and their implications for data sovereignty, cybersecurity, and digital trust. Panelists include Blessing Ehize, Dr. Ayotunde Coker, Dennis Ajalie, Adesola Akinsanya, Dr. Krishnan Ranganath, and Roseline Ilori, with moderation by Elsie Godwin.

The second panel, centered on Building AI for Africa: Innovation, Infrastructure and Inclusive Growth, will explore compute infrastructure, connectivity, and homegrown solutions addressing the continent's unique challenges. Discussants include David Adeoye Abodunrin, Abraham Durosawo, Oluwole Abegunde, Ebenezer Dare, Squadron Leader Adefola Amoo (Rtd), and Ikenna Odike, moderated by Bukky Amosan.

The third panel will address Fintech at a Crossroads? Innovation, Regulation and the Cost of Scaling in Nigeria, tackling regulatory compliance, rising operational costs, and sustainable growth. Industry leaders on this panel include Hakeem Adeniji-Adele, Adeshina Adewumi, Victor Daniyan, Chika Nwosu, and Philip Aiwekhoe, with Rarzack Olaegbe serving as moderator.

Additionally, the event features a fireside chat on Enterprise Technology & Data Security between Kehinde Ogundare, regional manager of Zoho Nigeria, and Joan Aimuengheuwa, managing editor at Techeconomy. Destiny Eseaga, GrowthX Project Coordinator, noted that Lagos Innovates—an arm of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), will host a special startup session titled Building Businesses, Creating Jobs & Driving Startup Growth, moderated by Larry Uwajeh alongside startup leaders Olanike Aladeojebi, Victor Williams Ikenna, Oluwamayowa Adeogun, and Jerry Nwobodo. Stephen Ipalibo Lawson will serve as the official compère.

Proceedings transition at 4:00 p.m. with a blue carpet leading into the inaugural TiLAwards gala. According to Peter Oluka, editor of Techeconomy, the awards celebrate individuals, institutions, and enterprises demonstrating excellence, relevance, and value across fintech, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, public sector transformation, and technology journalism.