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The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) have reaffirmed their commitment to collaborative digital development during a high-level courtesy visit in Abuja.
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Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), led the delegation, which included the ITU Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Emmanuel Manasseh.
Aligning Global Expertise with National Ambitions
The meeting focused on aligning ITU’s global resources with Nigeria’s strategic goals.
Representing NITDA’s Director General, Dr. Warowei Dimie, Director of Corporate Planning and Strategy, emphasized the value of leveraging ITU’s tested solutions and best practices to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation, particularly in achieving its target of 70 percent digital literacy by 2027.
Key Focus Areas: Digital Literacy and Rural Connectivity
Discussions highlighted Nigeria’s National Digital Literacy Framework as a critical roadmap for inclusive skills development.
Both parties addressed the persistent challenge of rural connectivity, exploring interventions like grassroots digital training and deploying National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members as digital literacy ambassadors to reach underserved communities.
ITU’s Ongoing Support for Nigeria’s Digital Infrastructure
Dr. Zavazava outlined ITU-BDT’s mandate to bridge the digital divide and support member states. He confirmed Nigeria’s active participation in key ITU initiatives, including:
- A €15 million ITU-European Commission project on broadband infrastructure mapping, involving 11 sub-Saharan African countries.
- Global cybersecurity capacity-building drills organized with the United Arab Emirates, which recently included over 136 nations.
- Ongoing collaboration on digital skills development and regulatory strengthening.
A Shared Path Toward Inclusive Digital Growth
The visit underscored the strategic partnership between international institutions and national agencies in driving sustainable development.
The reinforced collaboration between ITU and NITDA is poised to bolster Nigeria’s efforts in building resilient digital infrastructure, enhancing cybersecurity, and promoting inclusive socio-economic growth through technology.
