Nigeria charts digital future at 13th NCCIDE in Jos, focusing on inclusion and infrastructure

By Elisha Chebwawaza Gideon

A pivotal gathering to shape Nigeria’s digital trajectory is underway in Jos, Plateau State. The 13th Meeting of the National Council on Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy (NCCIDE), themed “Accelerating Inclusive Digital Transformation,” commenced on December 8, 2025. It brought together the nation’s top policymakers, regulators, and tech leaders for a week of strategic deliberations.

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Organized by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy in collaboration with the Plateau State Government under Governor Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, the five-day summit aims to forge actionable policies that bridge digital divides and foster sustainable, nationwide growth.

A Blueprint for an Inclusive Digital Nigeria

Opening the council, the Permanent Secretary of the Plateau State Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr. Lamba Peter Bot, set a compelling tone. He warned that exclusion from the digital ecosystem threatens to widen socio-economic gaps, framing the summit as a critical intervention.

The council’s discussions are structured around five core pillars essential for Nigeria’s digital future:

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• Promoting Inclusive Digital Development: A directive from the Minister, Dr. Bosun Tijani, emphasized that state and local governments must actively embrace new technologies to ensure growth benefits all citizens.
• Strengthening Policy Frameworks: Key focus includes advancing the National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill 2025 to provide a robust legal foundation for the digital economy.
• Accelerating Infrastructure Deployment: Major projects like the 90,000km fibre optic Project BRIDGE and the deployment of 7,000 new telecom towers are high on the agenda, with an emphasis on local content.
• Upskilling for the Future: Scaling initiatives like the “3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme” and integrating digital skills into artisanal training are central to job creation and talent development.
• Fostering Collaboration: The summit underscores the need for stronger public-private partnerships to deploy shared ICT infrastructure and digital public goods.

Leaders Emphasize Inclusivity and Security

Echoing the theme, Hon. Dr. Cletus Bako Shaurkuk, Plateau State Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, made a powerful declaration: “The future is digital, but it must be inclusive.”

Discussions also highlighted the urgency of building trust in the digital space. Calls were made to elevate digital literacy, establish stronger data privacy protections, and bolster national cybersecurity frameworks to safeguard the accelerating pace of digital adoption.

A Gathering of Digital Architects

The high-level meeting features key figures driving Nigeria’s tech policy, including:

• Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
• Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General of NITDA.
• Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, MD/CEO of Galaxy Backbone.
• Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
• Commissioners and policymakers from across Nigeria’s 36 states.

The summit is expected to conclude with a unified set of resolutions and a strengthened policy framework aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global digital economy, ensuring no citizen is left behind.