Nigeria has unveiled a bold, multi-pronged strategy aimed at localising the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20), reinforcing its commitment to driving inclusive and sustainable digital transformation.
The strategy, presented in New York at a Nigerian high-level side event titled “Re-Imagining Digital Cooperation for Sustainable Development: From WSIS+20 Vision to Local Action,” outlines Nigeria’s roadmap for strengthening digital infrastructure, promoting transparent internet governance, and enhancing cybersecurity through broad stakeholder collaboration.
Speaking at the event, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE—represented by the Director of Corporate Planning and Strategy, Dr. Dimie Shively Wariowei—said Nigeria’s approach aligns with the four core activity areas identified under the ongoing WSIS+20 review process.
According to him, the framework is designed to translate global digital commitments into measurable national outcomes that support inclusive growth and sustainable development. He identified digital infrastructure as the foundation of effective localisation, noting persistent challenges in extending connectivity to underserved and remote communities, alongside affordability and digital literacy gaps.
Inuwa explained that government alone cannot meet the demands of nationwide infrastructure deployment, given Nigeria’s vast geographical spread. As a result, the country has adopted Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models, including a collaboration with the World Bank on a nationwide fibre-optic project spanning approximately 90,000 kilometres.
He also disclosed that Nigeria’s current National Broadband Plan is nearing completion, with preparations underway to renew and reposition it for the next five years. The renewed plan will focus on increasing broadband penetration to expand digital access and stimulate economic growth.
On internet governance, Inuwa highlighted Nigeria’s active participation in the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), including the successful hosting of its national IGF, which operates on a multi-stakeholder model involving government, the private sector, civil society and the technical community.
Cybersecurity, he said, remains a critical pillar of Nigeria’s digital agenda. He referenced the existing Cybersecurity Act and ongoing efforts to strengthen the legal framework through a revised version currently awaiting parliamentary approval, aimed at safeguarding users and critical digital infrastructure amid rising internet use.
Inuwa further reaffirmed Nigeria’s ambition to play a leadership role in advancing digital cooperation across Africa, emphasising the importance of coordinated national data collection to track progress and accurately represent Africa’s digital development globally. He concluded that sustained engagement following the WSIS+20 review would deepen digital cooperation across the continent and deliver tangible national and regional impact.
Stakeholders at the event commended Nigeria’s growing influence in shaping Africa’s digital future.
Earlier, Ms. Jennifer Chung, Co-Convener of the Informal Multi-Stakeholder Sounding Board (IMSB), praised Nigeria for convening a broad-based delegation and demonstrating strong commitment to implementing WSIS+20 outcomes. She highlighted the increasing need for localised WSIS follow-up mechanisms, including national and regional IGFs and youth-led platforms, to track progress towards the 2030 Agenda and Africa’s Agenda 2063.
Chung described the WSIS+20 review as critical for effective monitoring, reliable data collection and evidence-based evaluation, particularly for developing countries in the Global South. Drawing comparisons with the Asia-Pacific region, she noted that challenges around affordable and meaningful connectivity persist across developing economies, stressing the need to expand broadband access and reduce costs.
She also underscored the importance of enabling inclusive citizen participation in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and future innovations, including quantum technologies. Chung concluded by calling for sustained multi-stakeholder collaboration to translate the WSIS vision from global commitments into meaningful local action.
