Nigeria at the Nexus — People, Power and Sovereign Capability
New York opens the pathways. Abuja converts them into action.
Nigeria at the Nexus is an invitation-led stakeholder dialogue connecting human capability, national power and international partnerships to Nigerian-defined, non-classified priorities. Convened on the margins of UNGA 81, it brings together government, diplomatic missions, international institutions, universities, technology companies, investors and diaspora leaders ahead of the Defence Futures Summit in Abuja on 14–15 October 2026.
Tuesday, 22 September 2026 | 08:30–15:00 EDT Convene — Central Park Forum, 810 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019.
FOUR CONNECTED PROGRAMME ELEMENTS
The Forward Loop — a session by SheCode.ai Who gets to build the future? A conversation on women, AI and resilient African communities, connecting skills, devices, credentials, mentorship, employment and safe participation. Hosted and moderated by Christiana Onoja, Co-founder/CEO, SheCode.ai.
Power Beyond Force — New York Preview: How do modern nations combine security, technology, culture, capital, diplomacy and diaspora influence? A recorded conversation exploring the foundations of national capability. Featured Guest: His Excellency Mohammed Umaru Bago, the Executive Governor of Niger State, and Moderated by Col Felix Alaita (Rtd), Founder/CEO, Kryterion Limited.
Nigeria Responsible Defence Innovation Ministerial Dialogue Led by the Honourable Minister of Defence, the dialogue connects Nigerian-defined priorities with international expertise and includes engagement with the diaspora community.
International Pathways Action Session Participants identify practical cooperation opportunities across technology, cyber and responsible AI; universities and skills; industrialisation and capital; and diaspora, culture and strategic influence. Each pathway records a focal person and a practical next action for the New York Action Note.
INDICATIVE PROGRAMME — NEW YORK TIME 08:30 — Registration and networking breakfast
09:00 — Institutional welcome
09:08 — The Forward Loop
10:15 — Power Beyond Force
11:25 — Opening of the Ministerial Programme
11:35 — Ministerial Dialogue
12:55 — International Pathways Action Session
13:35 — New York Action Note and principal direction
13:50 — Official photograph and closing remarks
14:00 — Formal programme ends; closing lunch
15:00 — Guest programme concludes
WHO SHOULD ATTEND Diplomatic and public-sector leaders; multilateral and development institutions; researchers; technology and industrial partners; investors; foundations; women-in-technology organisations; and diaspora professionals.
REGISTRATION AND ACCESS Registration is free and subject to host approval. Request the sessions relevant to your work; your approval will specify authorised sessions and arrival time. A request does not guarantee admission or access to the full programme. Each participant should register individually. Media accreditation is reviewed separately.
ORGANISERS
Convener: Kryterion Limited and Defence Futures Lab. Institutional anchor: Federal Ministry of Defence, Nigeria. Institutional Partners: Niger State Government and SheCode.ai.
Nigeria at the Nexus is independently organised and is not an official United Nations meeting or UN-endorsed event. The programme is non-classified and non-procurement. Participation and expressions of interest do not constitute government endorsement or a contractual commitment.