Connecting People, Policy, and Open Innovation
Eko-Konnect User Conference 2026
About the Conference
The Eko-Konnect User Conference is the meeting place for Nigeria's research and education networking community. The 2026 edition relocates to Abuja to reflect the country's surge in Open Access, Open Science, TERAS ambitions, and the emergence of REN.ng as a neutral, community-led expression of Nigeria's open infrastructure ecosystem.
It remains true to its roots as a practitioner-led gathering while broadening its mission to serve institutions nationwide. The new format blends platform demonstrations, policy dialogues, and co-design sessions that accelerate institutional adoption and digital readiness.
People
Celebrating the librarians, developers, network teams, students, and administrators who build and rely on open systems every day.
Policy
Translating national frameworks — including TERAS, Open Access, and Open Science — into actionable institutional playbooks.
Open Innovation
Highlighting the platforms, APIs, data services, and experimentation spaces that define Nigeria's collaborative digital ecosystem.
Conference Objectives
Co-design pathways that elevate research visibility, academic quality, and institutional skills while anchoring REN.ng as the convening home for open digital infrastructure.
Showcase platforms
Showcase working open infrastructure — repositories, publishing systems, identity services, cloud platforms, IoT networks, and more.
Engage communities
Provide a national forum to engage around the platforms, tools, and services shaping Nigeria's open digital future.
Align with national framework
Support national priorities including TERAS evolution plus emerging Open Science and Open Access directions.
Promote REN.ng
Strengthen collaboration through REN.ng as a neutral home for open infrastructure stakeholders.
Offer practical sessions
Demonstrate how platforms enable research visibility, teaching innovation, and institutional digital readiness.
Co-design national approach
Shape a coordinated approach to open digital infrastructure that complements outcomes from the National Open Access Summit.
Expected Outcomes
Together, we'll build a stronger foundation for Nigeria's open digital infrastructure ecosystem.
Expected Outcomes
- Develop a collective vision of Nigeria's emerging open infrastructure stack and its transformative role in research and education
- Foster deeper partnerships among institutions, national agencies, and research stakeholders across Nigeria
- Establish actionable institutional pathways for adopting repositories, publishing systems, IAM, and PID services
- Improve alignment with TERAS, Open Access, and Open Science policies through practical implementation strategies
- Formally establish REN.ng as a neutral convening hub for open digital infrastructure collaboration
- Create a foundation for a coordinated national roadmap that ensures sustainable implementation and growth
Who Should Attend
- Institution management, VCs, rectors, and provosts
- Policymakers, regulators, and national agencies
- Librarians, Research Administrators, and repository managers
- Researchers, academics, and postgraduate students
- Open infrastructure developers, EdTech innovators, and student innovation labs
- ICT, network, and data centre teams
- TETFund and TERAS programme partners
Schedule
The full timetable is co-created with partners. Expect deep dives, showcase walks, and policy sprints across two energetic days.
Schedule coming soon
The detailed timetable with sessions, speakers, and timings will be announced shortly. Stay tuned for updates on our comprehensive two-day programme.
Speakers & Facilitators
We're curating voices across institutions, agencies, communities, and the global open infrastructure movement.
Speaker lineup coming soon
Expect national policymakers, campus champions, REN.ng working groups, and global partners. Share your nominations via the contact form while we build the roster.
Venue & Partners
Join us in Abuja for an immersive experience, hosted by leading organizations committed to advancing Nigeria's open infrastructure.
Venue
Conference Centre, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Abuja
Host
Eko-Konnect Research and Education Initiative convenes the broader community, ensuring a practitioner-first experience.
Community Partner
REN.ng anchors collaboration as the neutral umbrella for Nigeria's open infrastructure stakeholders.
Contact Us
We're finalising registration, speaker announcements, and partner showcases. Share your interest so we can send updates the moment they go live.
For general inquiries, registration updates, and conference information.
Phone number
Direct phone support will be available soon. Check back for updates.