By David Torough, Abuja

Stakeholders at the 2026 Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) International Conference in Bida have called for urgent adoption of digital economy strategies and strengthened governance systems as critical tools for achieving inclusive and sustainable growth in developing nations.

Delivering the lead paper at the conference held at the Federal Polytechnic Bida, Professor Jonathan Atsua Ikughur emphasized that while technological advancement has transformed global systems, many developing countries, including Nigeria, have yet to fully harness its benefits due to weak institutions and inconsistent policy implementation.

He contrasted the inefficiencies of the past—marked by long banking queues, unreliable communication systems, and risky cash transactions with the current opportunities offered by digital innovation, noting that such advancements can significantly reduce economic and social costs.

Ikughur stressed that development must be viewed beyond mere economic growth, encompassing equitable resource distribution, improved living standards, and social well-being.

He warned that without deliberate planning and strong governance, many nations risk remaining trapped in poverty, inequality, and economic stagnation.

Painting a sobering picture of Nigeria’s development challenges, he cited high poverty and unemployment rates, weak institutional capacity, corruption, and overreliance on borrowing as major constraints to growth despite the country’s abundant natural resources.

The professor identified poor infrastructure, weak judicial systems, lack of transparency, and low investment in human capital as common features of many developing economies.

He urged policymakers to adopt data-driven strategies that integrate digital innovation with governance reforms to drive long-term prosperity.

Complementing this perspective, a research paper presented by Dr. Bolaji Tunde Matemilola highlighted the growing impact of digital financial inclusion on firms in emerging economies.

The study, which examined 475 firms across 15 countries, found that digital financial inclusion significantly boosts firms’ access to credit and drives business growth by reducing borrowing costs and information gaps.

However, the study also raised concerns about rising corporate debt levels, noting that while increased access to finance supports expansion, it may pose sustainability risks if not properly managed.

In his keynote address, Niger State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Muazu Hamidu Jantabo, described the digital economy as both a policy imperative and a generational opportunity for Africa.

He noted that digital transformation, when supported by strong governance, can reduce transaction costs, enhance transparency, and expand economic participation.

Jantabo highlighted ongoing reforms in Niger State, including investments in broadband infrastructure, digital literacy programmes, and e-governance systems aimed at improving service delivery and accountability.

He stressed that digitalization must be inclusive, warning that uneven access—particularly in rural areas—could deepen existing inequalities.

He further underscored the role of local governments as critical drivers of grassroots digital transformation, noting ongoing efforts to digitize administrative processes, improve revenue systems, and strengthen community engagement.

Earlier in his welcome address, ASUP Bida Chapter Chairman, Comrade Kolo Joshua, described the conference theme as timely, noting that the combination of digital economy and good governance remains essential for sustainable development in developing nations.

Across presentations, speakers converged on a common message: that digital transformation alone is insufficient without strong institutions, transparency, and accountability.

They called for coordinated efforts among governments, academia, and the private sector to align innovation with inclusive policies.

“The task before us is not just to embrace change,” Ikughur noted, “but to deliberately harness it for the collective good.”

By David Torough, Abuja

At the 2026 Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) National Conference held at the Federal Polytechnic Bida, Professor Jonathan Atsua Ikughur delivered a compelling call for developing countries to embrace the digital economy and strengthen governance systems as essential drivers of inclusive and sustainable growth.

Presenting his lead paper, the statistician from Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, reflected on the rapid transformation brought about by technological advancement, contrasting today’s digital ease with a past marked by inefficiencies—long banking queues, unreliable telecommunications, and risky cash-based trade journeys.

According to him, these historical constraints imposed heavy economic and social costs that digital innovation now has the capacity to eliminate.

Ikughur argued that while change is inevitable, developing countries like Nigeria have yet to fully harness the transformative power of digitalization due to weak institutional frameworks and inconsistent development planning.

He emphasized that development must go beyond economic growth to include equitable distribution of resources, improved living standards, and social well-being.

Citing global perspectives, the professor described development as a multidimensional process encompassing economic, social, cultural, and political progress.

He warned that without deliberate policies and long-term planning, countries risk remaining trapped in cycles of poverty, inequality and stagnation.

Highlighting Nigeria’s development indicators, Ikughur painted a sobering picture: high poverty rates, unemployment, population pressure, and weak institutional capacity continue to hinder progress.

He noted that despite abundant natural resources, poor governance, corruption, and lack of economic diversification have limited the country’s growth potential.

The paper identified key characteristics of many developing nations, including weak judicial systems, lack of transparency, inadequate infrastructure, and low investment in human capital and innovation.

These challenges, he said, are compounded by poor policy implementation and overreliance on borrowing.

Ikughur stressed that sustainable development requires a balanced approach that integrates economic growth, environmental protection, and social inclusion.

He pointed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a global framework guiding nations toward poverty reduction, improved health and education, climate action, and inclusive economic participation.

According to him, digital technologies can play a pivotal role in achieving these goals by improving service delivery, enhancing transparency, and fostering innovation.

He however, warned that without good governance, characterized by accountability, strong institutions, and anti-corruption measures, the benefits of digital transformation may not be fully realized.

He urged policymakers, academics and stakeholders to develop clear, data-driven national strategies that align digital innovation with governance reforms.

Such efforts, he said, are crucial for building resilient economies, reducing inequality, and ensuring long-term prosperity in developing countries.

“The task before us,” Ikughur noted, “is to understand the changing world and deliberately harness its opportunities for the collective good.”

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that candidates who registered for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) can now print their examination notification slips.

The board disclosed this in a statement signed by its Public Communication Adviser, Fabian Benjamin, on Thursday in Abuja.

Benjamin said the examination would commence on April 16, urging candidates to print their slips to confirm their examination date, venue and time.

He advised candidates to visit the board’s website, www.

jamb.gov.ng, and click on “2026 UTME Slip Printing” to access and print their notification slips.

According to him, candidates are encouraged to print the slips early and familiarise themselves with their examination centres ahead of the examination date to avoid inconvenience.

He said each candidate had been assigned a specific examination schedule, adding that candidates should arrive at their centres ahead of time to allow for proper screening and accreditation before the commencement of the examination.

Benjamin added that enhanced security measures had been introduced for the 2026 UTME to curb examination malpractice.

He warned candidates and centre operators to desist from any form of misconduct, stressing that strict sanctions would be applied against offenders.