DTN@100: Experts to lead conversation on Nigeria’s future

Leading Nigerian voices in technology, media and entrepreneurship will converge in Lagos on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, to examine how Nigeria can reposition itself as a major player in global socio-economic development and overcome persistent negative perceptions about the country.

The conversation, themed Shaping the Future, will take centre stage at the DTN@100 Town Hall and National Conversation scheduled to hold in Victoria Island, Lagos, as part of activities marking the centenary celebration of The Daily Times.

Among the speakers expected to dissect the challenges and opportunities facing Nigeria are Managing Director of Google Africa, Mr Alex Okosi; Co-founder of Red For Africa, Mr Jude Jideonwo; Chief Growth and AI Officer for the Middle East and Africa at Microsoft, Mrs Olutomiwa Williams; and Nigerian technology entrepreneur and investor, Mr Iyinoluwa Aboyeji.

The discussions will focus on Nigeria’s global image, its socio-economic prospects and the need to harness the country’s entrepreneurial energy, which has found expression across several fields, including business, technology, sports, music and the arts.

The gathering is also expected to explore practical ways of translating Nigeria’s considerable human and creative resources into greater global influence, while addressing the negative perceptions that continue to shape international narratives about the country.

Okosi is a media, entertainment and technology executive with more than two decades of experience, while Jideonwo is a lawyer, journalist and media entrepreneur.

Williams brings over two decades of experience in information technology, digital transformation and business leadership. Aboyeji, meanwhile, is internationally recognised for co-founding technology companies Andela and Flutterwave.

The Town Hall is designed to deepen national conversations around Nigeria’s achievements, recognise individuals and institutions contributing to national development, and explore strategies for improving the country’s international reputation.

It is the second major activity in the multi-layered DTN@100 centenary celebration organised by Folio Group, owners of The Daily Times.

Other components include the Honouring the Past Exhibition, which will celebrate prominent Nigerians whose contributions helped shape the country’s history, and the DTN@100 Times Heroes Awards, designed to recognise individuals shaping Nigeria’s future through leadership, patriotism and service to humanity.

The exhibition will draw on historical records and photographs documented by The Daily Times throughout its 100 years of reporting and service to Nigeria.

The event will be co-chaired by former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Mr Sam Amuka-Pemu, CON, and Executive Chairman of Tanus Communications, Dr Yemi Ogunbiyi.

The DTN@100 celebration follows the inaugural Times Heroes Awards held in Abuja on September 3, 2026, under the theme, Honouring the Past, Shaping the Future.

As part of the centenary initiative, Folio Group has also committed the use of The Daily Times’ extensive archives to developing The Nigerian Grand Book (Magnum Opus), a 700-page national souvenir intended to document Nigeria’s history, achievements, personalities and cultural heritage for a global audience.

According to the organisers, the publication is conceived as a flagship national storytelling project and a strategic tool for presenting a more comprehensive account of Nigeria to the international community.

The centenary celebration, running from June 1, 2026, to June 1, 2027, is also designed to recognise 100 of the most impactful Nigerians, past and present, through the Times Heroes Awards.

Chairman of Folio Africa and Publisher of The Daily Times, Mr Fidelis Anosike, said the various initiatives were driven by the need to positively communicate Nigeria’s story, celebrate its achievements and recognise those who have contributed to its development.

The DTN@100 initiative seeks to combine historical documentation, national recognition and forward-looking conversations to reflect on Nigeria’s journey over the past century while exploring possibilities for its future.