By Godson Umejiego, Bureau Chief, The Americas
In a stellar move to spearhead the global digital transition, Nigeria has unveiled a comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy designed to localise WSIS+20 commitments, Cyber Era NG learns.
According to a press statement e-signed by the Director of Corporate Communications & External Relations at NITDA, Hajia Hadiza Umar, Wednesday, this roadmap accelerates national transformation by prioritising robust infrastructure, transparent internet governance, and advanced cybersecurity through deep stakeholder collaboration.
Unveiled in New York, USA at the Nigerian high-level side event titled “Re-Imagining Digital Cooperation for Sustainable Development: From WSIS+20 Vision to Local Action,” the strategy cements Nigeria’s position as a primary architect of the world’s digital future.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA),Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, represented by Director, Corporate Planning and Strategy, Dr. Dimie Shively Wariowei said Nigeria’s approach was deliberately aligned with the four core activity areas identified under the ongoing WSIS+20 review process.
According to Mallam Abdullahi, the focus areas provided a practical framework for translating global digital commitments into measurable national outcomes, ensuring that international resolutions drove inclusive growth and sustainable digital development at the country level.
Abdullahi identified digital infrastructure as the foundation of effective localisation, noting persistent challenges in extending connectivity to underserved and remote communities. Beyond infrastructure gaps, he highlighted affordability constraints and digital literacy deficits, stressing that addressing these issues remained central to Nigeria’s digital inclusion drive.
He explained that government alone could not shoulder the burden of nationwide digital infrastructure deployment, given Nigeria’s vast geographical spread, hence the adoption of collaborative Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models. He disclosed that Nigeria, in collaboration with the World Bank, was implementing a major fibre-optic project spanning about 90,000 kilometres nationwide to boost connectivity.
The NITDA DG also revealed that the current National Broadband Plan, which had guided broadband expansion in recent years, was nearing completion, with plans underway to renew and reposition it for the next five years. The renewed plan, he said, would strategically target increased broadband penetration as a catalyst for digital access and economic growth.
On internet governance, Abdullahi referenced Nigeria’s active participation in the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), noting that the country successfully hosted its annual national IGF. He said the forum operated on a multi-stakeholder model that brought together government, the private sector, civil society and the technical community to foster cooperation and informed policy dialogue.
Cybersecurity, he added, remained a critical pillar of Nigeria’s localisation efforts and cited the existing Cybersecurity Act and ongoing efforts to strengthen the legal framework through a reviewed version currently awaiting parliamentary approval. These measures, he said, were designed to mitigate risks associated with increased internet use and to protect users and critical digital infrastructure.
Abdullahi further stressed Nigeria’s ambition to play a leadership role in advancing digital cooperation across Africa through inclusive, multi-stakeholder engagement. He underscored the importance of coordinated national data collection, noting that reliable, country-specific data was essential for tracking progress and presenting Africa’s digital development story on the global stage.
He concluded that sustained engagement and follow-up actions arising from the WSIS+20 review would strengthen digital cooperation among African countries and ensure that global digital commitments translated into tangible national and regional impact.
Stakeholders commended Nigeria’s efforts in the digital space, acknowledging the country’s growing role in shaping Africa’s digital future.
Earlier, Co-Convener of the Informal Multi-Stakeholder Sounding Board (IMSB), Ms. Jennifer Chung praised Nigeria for convening a broad-based, multi-stakeholder delegation and for its commitment to the meaningful implementation of WSIS+20 outcomes.
Chung stressed the growing demand for localised WSIS follow-up mechanisms, noting that platforms such as the annual IGF, National and Regional IGF Initiatives (NRIs), and youth-led forums were vital for tracking progress towards the 2030 Agenda and Africa’s Agenda 2063.
She described the WSIS+20 review as a critical step toward effective monitoring, reliable data collection and evidence-based evaluation, particularly for developing countries in the Global South. According to her, these measures were essential to achieving WSIS targets and ensuring that no region was left behind.
Drawing parallels with the Asia-Pacific region, Chung noted that challenges around affordable and meaningful connectivity remained widespread across developing economies. She emphasised that expanding broadband penetration and reducing the cost of access were crucial to closing digital divides in Africa, Asia-Pacific and other parts of the Global South.
She also highlighted the need to enable active citizen participation in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and future innovations such as quantum technologies, stressing that inclusive digital access was key to maximising the benefits of digital transformation.
Reflecting on the WSIS+20 review process, Chung praised the innovative and inclusive approach adopted through the informal multi-stakeholder sounding board, describing it as one of the first of its kind in global digital governance. She called for sustained collaboration among governments, the private sector, civil society and the technical community to carry the WSIS vision from global commitments to local action. –With additional reporting by Kingsley I. Ilechukwu, Bureau Chief, South West, Nigeria.
