The strategy, announced at Nigeria’s high-level side event “Rethinking Digital Cooperation for Sustainable Development: From WSIS+20 Vision to Local Action” held in New York, solidifies Nigeria’s position as a leading builder of the world’s digital future.
Speaking at the event, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Director-General Kashif Inuwa, CCIE represented by Director, Corporate Planning and Strategy, Dr. Dimmy Sibley Wariowayi, said Nigeria’s approach was deliberately aligned with the four core areas of activity identified in the ongoing WSIS+20 review process.
He said the focus areas provide a practical framework for translating global digital efforts into measurable national outcomes, ensuring that international solutions drive inclusive growth and sustainable digital development at the country level.
Inuwa cited digital infrastructure as the foundation for effective localization and pointed to persistent challenges in extending connectivity to underserved and remote communities. Besides infrastructure gaps, he also highlighted affordability constraints and lack of digital literacy, stressing that addressing these issues remains central to Nigeria’s drive for digital inclusion.
He explained that given Nigeria’s geographical spread, the government alone cannot shoulder the burden of nationwide digital infrastructure deployment, hence the adoption of a collaborative public-private partnership (PPP) model. He disclosed that Nigeria, in collaboration with the World Bank, is implementing a major fiber optic project spanning about 90,000 kilometers across the country to increase connectivity.
NITDA DG also revealed that the current National Broadband Plan, which has guided broadband expansion in recent years, is nearing completion and plans are underway to update and reposition the plan over the next five years. He said the new plan strategically targets increased broadband penetration as a catalyst for digital access and economic growth.
On Internet governance, Mr. Inuwa noted Nigeria’s active participation in the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), noting that Nigeria had successfully hosted the annual national IGF. He said the forum operates on a multi-stakeholder model that brings together governments, the private sector, civil society and the technical community and fosters cooperation and informed policy dialogue.
He added that cybersecurity remains a key pillar of Nigeria’s localization efforts. He noted ongoing efforts to strengthen the legal framework through the current cybersecurity law and the revised version currently awaiting parliamentary approval. These measures are aimed at mitigating the risks associated with increased internet usage and protecting users and critical digital infrastructure, he said.
Inuwa further highlighted Nigeria’s ambition to play a leadership role in promoting digital cooperation across Africa through inclusive and multi-stakeholder engagement. He stressed the importance of coordinated national data collection, noting that reliable country-specific data is essential to tracking progress and presenting Africa’s digital development story on the global stage.
He concluded that continued engagement and follow-up actions arising from the WSIS+20 review will strengthen digital cooperation among African countries and ensure that global digital efforts have a tangible impact on countries and the region.
Stakeholders acknowledged Nigeria’s growing role in shaping Africa’s digital future and commended Nigeria’s efforts in the digital space.
Earlier, Jennifer Chan, co-convener of the Informal Multi-Stakeholder Sounding Board (IMSB), commended Nigeria for convening a broad multi-stakeholder delegation and working towards meaningful implementation of the WSIS+20 outcomes.
Mr Chong noted that platforms such as the annual IGF, National and Regional IGF Initiatives (NRIs) and youth-led forums are essential to track progress towards the 2030 Agenda and Africa’s Agenda 2063, highlighting the growing need for regionally specific WSIS follow-up mechanisms.
He said the review of WSIS+20 is an important step towards effective monitoring, reliable data collection and evidence-based evaluation, especially for developing countries in the Global South. According to her, these measures are essential to achieving WSIS goals and ensuring that no region is left behind.
Chung noted that challenges around affordable and meaningful connectivity remain prevalent across the developing world, as well as in the Asia-Pacific region. He stressed that increasing broadband penetration and reducing access costs are important to closing the digital divide in Africa, Asia-Pacific and other regions of the Global South.
He also emphasized the need to enable active public participation in emerging technologies, including future innovations such as artificial intelligence and quantum technology, and emphasized that inclusive digital access is key to maximizing the benefits of digital transformation.
Reflecting on the WSIS+20 review process, Mr. Chung praised the innovative and inclusive approach taken through informal multi-stakeholder consultations, noting that it is one of the first of its kind in global digital governance. He called for continued collaboration between governments, the private sector, civil society and the technical community to advance WSIS’s vision from global initiatives to local actions.
