When global institutions and national agencies align around clear priorities, digital development moves from policy language to practical action.
That sense of alignment was visible in Abuja as the Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, paid a courtesy visit to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), reinforcing growing cooperation around Nigeria’s digital future.
Dr Zavazava was accompanied by the ITU Regional Director for Africa, Dr Emmanuel Manasseh, alongside other members of the ITU delegation.
They were received on behalf of the Director General of NITDA by the Director of Corporate Planning and Strategy, Dr Warowei Dimie, and senior officials of the Agency.
The visit provided a platform for focused conversations around some of the most pressing digital development challenges facing Nigeria, Africa, and other developing regions.
Central to the discussions was a shared commitment to inclusive and sustainable ICT growth, particularly for communities that have remained on the margins of digital progress.
Speaking on behalf of the NITDA Director General, Dr Dimie described the ITU’s global experience as a valuable resource for Nigeria’s ongoing digital transformation.
He noted that partnerships with international institutions make it easier for local agencies to adapt proven solutions to Nigeria’s unique realities.
“We value ITU’s depth of experience and the opportunity to transfer tested ideas and best practices into our local context,” he said.
Digital skills development featured prominently during the engagement. Dr Dimie explained that Nigeria is working toward an ambitious goal of achieving 70 percent digital literacy nationwide by next year, with encouraging progress already recorded through partnerships with the private sector and other stakeholders.
He also highlighted the adoption of Nigeria’s National Digital Literacy Framework as a significant milestone.
According to him, the framework provides a structured and inclusive approach to skills development across different age groups and social segments.
However, he acknowledged that challenges persist, especially in rural and underserved communities where connectivity and access remain limited.
As a result, discussions explored targeted interventions such as grassroots digital training programmes and the deployment of National Youth Service Corps members as digital literacy ambassadors at the community level.
In his remarks, Dr Zavazava outlined the mandate of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, which focuses on bridging the digital divide, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and supporting member states to build resilient digital infrastructure.
“Our work is focused on helping countries translate digital ambition into real outcomes for their people,” he said, noting that these priorities align closely with Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
Dr Zavazava further highlighted existing areas of collaboration between ITU and Nigeria, including digital skills development, broadband infrastructure mapping, and cybersecurity initiatives.
He disclosed that Nigeria is among 11 sub-Saharan African countries benefiting from a €15 million ITU–European Commission project on broadband infrastructure mapping and modelling.
In addition, he pointed to Nigeria’s participation in ITU-led global cybersecurity drills organised in partnership with the United Arab Emirates, which attracted participation from more than 136 countries in the most recent edition.
Beyond formal programmes, the visit underscored the importance of sustained cooperation between international development institutions and national agencies.
Both ITU and NITDA reaffirmed their shared belief that strong partnerships remain essential to unlocking the full potential of ICTs for innovation, inclusion, and long-term socio-economic growth.
As Nigeria continues to position digital technology as a key driver of national development, engagements like this signal a steady shift from ambition to execution, with collaboration, skills, and infrastructure firmly at the centre of the conversation.
