NCC Reaffirms Commitment to Digital Transformation, Bridging Nigeria’s Digital Divide

By Francis Kalu 

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting digital transformation initiatives aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital economy and expanding access to digital skills, particularly among underserved communities.

The Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, stated this when a delegation from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) paid a courtesy visit to the Commission in Abuja.

Maida, represented by the NCC’s Director of Research and Development, Mr Babagana Digima, said the Commission had transformed its internal operations from paper-based communication to a fully digital system.

According to him, the transition has improved data management, accessibility, efficiency and accountability, while providing a stronger audit trail for the Commission’s activities.

He added that the NCC had continued to encourage organisations and stakeholders doing business with the Commission to embrace digital transformation.

Maida described the Digital Bridge Institute as an important institution established with the support of the NCC to help bridge Nigeria’s digital divide through capacity development and digital skills training.

He said DBI had grown into a major training institution with several campuses and had implemented various capacity-building programmes, including collaborations with the ITU.

The EVC recalled that he had also benefited from an ITU Academy training programme facilitated through DBI, assuring the institute of the Commission’s continued support.

Speaking during the visit, ITU Senior Digital Skills Officer, Ms Robin Fish, said the Digital Transformation Centre (DTC) initiative was established to expand access to digital skills and promote digital inclusion, particularly among marginalised and underserved communities.

Fish said the initiative, launched in 2019 in partnership with Cisco, had reached rural and marginalised populations in several countries through its network of partners.

According to her, at least 870,000 people have participated in courses delivered through DTCs, with women accounting for more than 52 per cent of beneficiaries.

She explained that the training programmes were provided free of charge to expand opportunities for people who might otherwise have limited access to digital skills development.

Fish said DBI occupied a unique position under the initiative because of its dual status as an ITU Academy training centre and a Digital Transformation Centre.

“There are currently 16 DTCs globally, with eight located in Africa,” she said.

Earlier, DBI President, Mr David Desser, said the institute had secured approval to become an ITU Digital Transformation Centre in addition to its existing status as an ITU Academy training centre.

Desser said the application received the support of the NCC, making DBI the first institution globally to simultaneously operate as an ITU Academy training centre and an ITU Digital Transformation Centre.

“With the support of NCC, we were given that approval, and that makes DBI the first in the whole world to become both an ITU DTC and ITU Academy training centre at the same time,” he said.

He explained that the ITU delegation’s visit was intended to deepen engagement with key stakeholders capable of supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda through DBI.

Desser also commended the NCC for its continued support for the institute’s efforts to expand digital skills and capacity development across the country.