CEPDeR’s National Budget Roundtable & Panel Discussion (NBR2026)
April 2, 2026 @ 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Theme: National Budgeting, Artificial Intelligence, and Human Capital Development
- Introduction
The National Budget Roundtable and Panel Discussion (NBR) — an annual flagship event of the Centre for Economic Policy and Development Research (CEPDeR) at Covenant University — continues to provide a vital platform for dialogue on Nigeria’s fiscal direction and socio-economic development.
This year’s edition, themed “National Budgeting, Artificial Intelligence and Human Capital Development,” addresses a timely and forward-looking topic. As the world embraces the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI), the 2026 National Budget offers Nigeria an opportunity to rethink how technology and fiscal policy can work together to build a more productive, skilled, and future-ready population.
At a time when digital technologies are reshaping industries, education, and governance, this conversation aims to explore how the national budget can be used as a strategic tool to strengthen human capital and enhance public service delivery through responsible AI integration.
- Event Overview
The National Budget Roundtable (NBR) has, over the years, evolved into one of CEPDeR’s most significant thought-leadership events, engaging policymakers, academics, development partners, and industry players in critical conversations about Nigeria’s economic future.
The 2026 edition seeks to unpack how artificial intelligence can drive smarter fiscal management and unlock new pathways for human development. The discussions will revolve around using the national budget to fund education, innovation, and capacity-building initiatives that empower Nigerians to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
By focusing on the intersection between AI and human capital development, NBR2026 will shed light on how Nigeria can align its fiscal priorities with global trends in digital transformation and sustainable growth.
- Event Details
Event: National Budget Roundtable (NBR2026)
Theme: National Budgeting, Artificial Intelligence and Human Capital Development
Date: Thursday, April 2nd, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM (GMT+1)
Venue: CUCRID Auditorium, Covenant University, Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State
Organized by: The Centre for Economic Policy and Development Research (CEPDeR), Covenant University, in collaboration with partner institutions and research networks.
Expected Participants: Government officials, academics, business leaders, civil society representatives, international development partners, and the media.
- Event Objectives
The roundtable aims to:
- Highlight the Role of the National Budget in Human Capital Transformation: Examine how fiscal allocations can foster AI adoption in education, health, and public administration.
- Promote Data-Driven Fiscal Governance: Explore how AI can improve budget transparency, enhance decision-making, and track expenditure efficiency.
- Discuss the Interface between Technology and Human Development: Identify how AI can be applied to bridge learning gaps, boost productivity, and reduce inequalities in access to opportunities.
- Encourage Collaboration for Digital Growth: Foster dialogue among stakeholders on aligning national budgets with Nigeria’s digital economy and workforce development goals.
- Rationale for the Theme
Around the world, artificial intelligence is redefining productivity, innovation, and governance. For a developing country like Nigeria, AI offers immense potential to reshape how resources are planned, allocated, and managed.
The 2026 National Budget comes at a crucial juncture, where technology-driven transformation must go hand in hand with strategic investment in people. By prioritizing education, digital literacy, and innovation, the national budget can help position Nigeria’s workforce to adapt to automation and seize opportunities in the knowledge economy.
Integrating AI into fiscal and developmental planning can also improve efficiency in tax administration, project monitoring, and social program targeting. More importantly, it can serve as a catalyst for inclusive innovation — ensuring that every Nigerian benefits from the country’s digital advancement.
- Key Discussion Areas
The roundtable will engage participants around the following themes:
- Artificial Intelligence and Fiscal Innovation: Leveraging AI for smarter budgeting, real-time expenditure tracking, and improved public financial management.
- Human Capital Development in a Digital Economy: Identifying priority sectors for budgetary investment in education, skills, and innovation.
- Bridging Digital Inequalities: Ensuring that the benefits of AI and technological progress extend to underserved populations.
- Institutional Readiness for AI Integration: Assessing the capacity of public institutions to adopt data analytics and AI tools for improved governance outcomes.
- Public-Private Partnerships for Digital Empowerment: Exploring mechanisms for co-financing and implementing technology-driven human development projects.
- Expected Outcomes
NBR2026 is expected to:
- Deepen understanding of the intersections between national budgeting, artificial intelligence, and human capital development.
- Produce a Policy Brief offering actionable recommendations on incorporating AI strategies into Nigeria’s fiscal framework.
- Encourage collaborative approaches to digital inclusion and technological capacity building.
- Strengthen advocacy for transparent, data-informed governance practices.
- Inspire a renewed commitment to human-centered fiscal policy design and implementation.
- Participants
The event will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders:
Government Officials: Key leaders from ministries such as Finance, Budget, National Planning and various sectors who are responsible for shaping policies on fiscal governance, technology, and human capital development.
Academia and Researchers: Scholars and experts in economics, artificial intelligence, education, and development studies, contributing insights on how digital tools can strengthen fiscal efficiency and human capital growth.
Private Sector: Industry leaders from technology, finance, and human capital development sectors, whose innovations and investments are vital to Nigeria’s digital and economic transformation.
International Organizations: Representatives from development partners such as the UN, World Bank, and AfDB, supporting initiatives in digital inclusion, human capital, and governance reform.
Civil Society Organizations: Advocacy and research-based groups focused on digital literacy, economic inclusion, and social development.
Media: Journalists and media houses covering governance, technology, and public policy issues.
- Previous Speakers at CEPDeR’s NBR and Policy Briefs
Past editions of CEPDeR’s NBR have featured prominent policymakers, academics, and development practitioners exploring issues at the nexus of budgeting, governance, and sustainable development. These sessions have led to influential policy briefs that continue to inform national discourse on fiscal responsibility, digital innovation, and inclusive growth.
- Conclusion
The 2026 National Budget Roundtable provides a timely forum for reflection on how Nigeria’s fiscal strategy can evolve in an age defined by technological innovation and rapid change.
By bringing together experts and decision-makers to deliberate on the theme “National Budgeting, Artificial Intelligence and Human Capital Development,” CEPDeR aims to advance a national conversation on how the country’s budget can serve not only as a financial instrument but also as a driver of knowledge, creativity, and social transformation.
As Nigeria charts its course toward a more resilient and knowledge-based economy, the insights emerging from NBR2026 will be instrumental in guiding policies that empower citizens, modernize governance, and position the nation for sustainable, technology-enabled growth.
The link for registration will be out soon!!!
Stay tuned.