Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to driving inclusive and secure digital development across West Africa.
This was made clear by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, during the 17th West Africa Internet Governance Forum held recently in Abuja.
Dr Tijani spoke about Nigeria’s ongoing projects to expand internet access and strengthen digital infrastructure in the country and the wider region.
These initiatives include the rollout of broadband infrastructure, efforts to improve subsea cable resilience, and the promotion of digital rights and data privacy.
According to him, these measures aim to make internet access more democratic, protect users, and encourage innovation that will boost both the economy and society.
The Minister called for strong cooperation among governments, private sector players, civil society, technical experts, and, especially, young people, whom he described as the driving force of the region’s digital economy.
He urged West African countries to collaborate to ensure their voices are heard in global digital policy discussions, including at forums such as WSIS+20 and the Global Digital Compact.
Dr Tijani also urged stakeholders to focus on expanding digital infrastructure, improving digital literacy at the grassroots level, securing cyberspace, and fostering innovation grounded in West African values.
Representing the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Oladejo Olawumi, the Director of IT Infrastructure Solutions, spoke about the challenges posed by global technological growth, particularly in areas such as data security and privacy.
He noted that the forum offers an opportunity for the region to develop strategies that will enhance capacity in internet governance and ensure West Africa plays a significant role in the global digital economy.
Mary Uduma, Coordinator of the West Africa Internet Governance Forum, urged the need for affordable, accessible, and safe internet services across the region.
The forum brought together key stakeholders from various sectors to discuss policies that will shape internet governance and digital development in West Africa, reflecting Nigeria’s leading role in driving this agenda.
