By Nkechi Eze
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) has underscored the imperative of aligning technological innovation with risk management frameworks as a strategic pathway to building resilient and sustainable economies.
According to an official signed statement by Head, Information & Public Relations, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chris Ugwuegbulam, the SGF made this known while delivering an address on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Abuja as Special Guest of Honour at the 2026 National Risk Management Conference themed “Sustainable Technological Innovations and Risk Management for Resilient Economies.”
Represented at the event by the Director, General Services in the OSGF, Idris Yusuf Ibrahim, the SGF commended the organisers for convening what he described as a timely and impactful forum that brought together critical stakeholders from government, industry, academia and development institutions to advance sustainable risk management strategies in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
He noted that the conference provided a vital platform for robust engagement on strengthening economic resilience amid emerging global challenges such as rapid technological disruptions, climate uncertainties, financial volatility, cyber threats and shifting geopolitical dynamics.
The SGF stressed that in an increasingly complex and fast-changing world, nations must embrace proactive, data-driven and forward-looking approaches to governance and enterprise management. He identified technology as a major catalyst for transformation, citing innovations such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, fintech solutions, digital governance systems and predictive analytics as forces reshaping economies and societies.
“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 stated.
The SGF, who was honoured with the Pillar of Risk Management Award of Excellence at the event, expressed appreciation to the organisers for the recognition. He emphasized that for Nigeria and the African continent to fully harness their human and digital potential, there must be deliberate investments in institutional strengthening, sound regulatory frameworks, research and development, digital infrastructure, as well as the promotion of transparency and accountability.
He further reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to implementing reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at promoting fiscal discipline, improving the ease of doing business, supporting innovation-driven enterprises and enhancing institutional efficiency.
In his welcome remarks, Chairman of the Risk Managers Society of Nigeria, Dr. Abbas Idris, highlighted the growing urgency for proactive and integrated risk management approaches to reinforce national resilience in the face of global uncertainties. He referenced the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, security challenges in the Sahel region and evolving global alliances as factors necessitating a more strategic response.
He maintained that the dynamic nature of risks, spanning economic volatility to security threats, demands deliberate and forward-thinking strategies across all sectors, noting that risk management has become indispensable to sustainable development and national stability.
The high point 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, alongside the official unveiling of the organisation’s publication, Risk Management Digest, aimed at promoting best practices and advancing the discipline of risk management.
