The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has pledged to leverage the Digital Bridge Institute’s (DBI) new designation as an International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Digital Transformation Centre (DTC) to expand digital literacy and skills training across Nigeria.
Receiving the Senior Digital Skills Officer at ITU Headquarters, Geneva, Ms. Robyn Fysh, at its headquarters in Abuja, the Director of Research and Development, Engr Babagana Digima, who represented the NCC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Aminu Maida, said that the new status would provide an opportunity for the NCC, DBI and ITU to deepen collaboration and expand access to digital skills programmes.
Digima, who received Fysh alongside a DBI delegation led by its President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. David Daser, said that the new status would provide an opportunity for the NCC, DBI and ITU to deepen collaboration and expand access to digital skills programmes.
“DBI’s recognition as an ITU Digital Transformation Centre is a significant milestone for Nigeria’s digital skills ecosystem and an opportunity to expand access to digital literacy and capacity-building programmes across the country,” he said.
He explained that digital literacy is essential to Nigeria’s digital economy ambitions and that the NCC expected the designation to improve access to quality training, particularly for underserved and vulnerable communities.
“The NCC remains committed to initiatives that equip Nigerians with the skills needed to participate meaningfully in the digital economy. We will continue to work with government agencies, state governments, development partners and other stakeholders to ensure no community is left behind,” Digima said.
Fysh, who was in Nigeria as part of her official engagement with DBI following the Institute’s recognition as an ITU Digital Transformation Centre, making it part of a global network of institutions working to promote digital skills and transformation.
Fysh commended the longstanding partnership between the NCC and ITU, saying the UN agency was encouraged by Nigeria’s progress in digital skills and inclusion.
“The ITU values its strong partnership with the NCC and DBI, and we are encouraged by the progress being made to advance digital skills and inclusion in Nigeria,” she said.
She said the ITU Digital Transformation Centres initiative, launched in partnership with Cisco in 2019, had reached more than 870,000 participants globally, with women accounting for more than half of those reached.
According to her, the initiative focuses on practical digital skills aimed at improving employability, entrepreneurship and participation in the digital economy.
“DBI’s new status as a DTC will help strengthen efforts to empower more people with relevant digital skills and opportunities,” Fysh said.
In his speech, Daser thanked the NCC for its support, saying it contributed to DBI’s recognition by the ITU.
He said that DBI had become the first institution globally to simultaneously hold the status of an ITU Academy Training Centre (ATC) and an ITU Digital Transformation Centre (DTC).
“As a prominent state actor, the NCC can help drive this agenda by leveraging its infrastructure, networks and partnerships to extend digital skills training and certification opportunities to underserved communities nationwide,” Daser said.
He said that the initiative was aligned with Nigeria’s National Digital Literacy Framework, which targets 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030 and would require sustained investment and stronger collaboration among stakeholders.
“As a Digital Transformation Centre, we are better positioned to expand our impact and support the development of a digitally skilled workforce for Nigeria and Africa,” Daser said.
GIK/APA