The Federal Government has called a free and secure internet capable of bridging the digital divide and creating innovative opportunities within the African Continent.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, canvassed the position at the just-concluded Africa Internet Governance Forum, held in Abuja.
The position of the Nigerian government was stated in a press release by Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Director of Public Affairs, Rueben Muoka.
The minister said the administration of President Bola Tinubu is committed to engendering necessary collaborations and international dialogues to achieve these objectives.
Tijani, who addressed the forum virtually, said Nigeria, as the largest telecommunications market in Africa, is conscious of all the dynamics of emerging technologies around internet usage.
He added that it would continue to work with other African countries on different fronts to ensure that the internet is effectively governed so its innumerable resources can be leveraged for citizens and nation’s growth.
“The need for our consistent collaboration to develop our economy collectively is preeminent in the agenda of the current administration in Nigeria.
“It is through this kind of forum that we can bridge the digital divides, enhance cyber-security, ensure digital rights and foster innovation.
“It is, therefore, our collective duty to ensure that the Internet remains open, safe and beneficial for all,” Tijani told parliamentarians and other participants at the forum.
He encouraged all stakeholders to prioritise a collaborative approach to creating policies and strategies that will shape the future of the internet in Africa and the future that will reflect Africa’s shared values, aspirations and diversity.
On behalf of the government and all sponsors, Tijani commended NCC and other agencies that constituted the Local Organising Committee (LOG) for a successful 2023 AfIGF.
The minister expressed delight, saying their effective planning and dedication to driving change in Africa’s digital future is commendable.
Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Professor Umar Danbatta, was at the opening and closing ceremony of the event as well as in panel discussions.
He provided insights on the commitment of NCC to driving a secured internet ecosystem in Nigeria through various regulatory initiatives.
Danbatta stated that Nigeria has attained tremendous growth in broadband penetration, basic internet usage, and voice subscriptions.
The NCC EVC/CEO also restated that the telecoms sector recorded impressive contributions to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He said, as Nigeria hosted the 2023 AfIGF, the country was focused on sharing experiences with other sister nations in Africa.
He said the country is also learning from the AfIGF parliamentarians at the forum to collectively drive the frontiers of the ideals of proper utilisation of internet resources to promote socio-economic development of the Continent.l
Dr Mactar Seck, Chief of the Section on Innovation and Technology at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), thanked the NCC and all government entities that provided support and played a great role in ensuring the success of the event.
He said with a forum such as the AfIGF, African nations can continue to aggregate views that allow them to speak with one voice to get greater benefits for African economic development.
“I sincerely thank the EVC of the NCC, Professor Danbatta, who is playing a great role in the development of digital technology in Nigeria.
“I also appreciate the AfIGF Secretary General, other sister agencies, and the Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) that made the event successful,” he said.
Secretary of the African Parliamentary Network on Internet Governance, Honourable Samuel George of Ghana, also spoke at the week-long event.
He called for free internet “that is inclusive, safe and secured for all citizens of Africa,” saying it can only be achieved through collaborative effort to build an inclusive Africa.
“For Africa to be self-sufficient, it must create an enabling environment and laws and provide digital infrastructures for young innovators to strive.”
George added: “This will, in turn, promote indigenous and local content development in technological development.”
This year’s edition of the AfIGF with the theme: “Transforming Africa’s Digital Landscape: Empowering Inclusion, Security and Innovation”, took place at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
It provided yet another veritable platform for African countries to discuss germane issues that will pave the way for the development of a more robust digital economy in the continent.
A communique was issued after the event detailing resolutions made at the event and concrete recommendations.
Danbatta urged the participants to ensure effective implementations of the resolutions and commendations in their respective countries ahead of next year’s forum.
Before the AfIGF, which started from September 19 to 23, 2023, the 11th Africa School of Internet Governance (AfriSIG), took place from September 13 to 18, 2023.
It was facilitated by the Association for Progressive Communications, the Africa Union, Research ICT Africa, the Africa Parliamentary Track and the United Nations-IGF Secretariat and the Africa Youth IGF.
