Digital Literacy: NCC to leverage DBI's ITU Recognition

PRESS RELEASE

L-R : David Daser, Robyn Fysh and Babagana Digima during the Courtesy Visit to NCC Headquarters

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it will leverage the Digital Bridge Institute’s (DBI) designation as an International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Digital Transformation Centre (DTC) to accelerate digital literacy, enhance digital inclusion, and equip more Nigerians with the skills needed to participate effectively in the digital economy.

The Commission made this known while receiving the Senior Digital Skills Officer of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Robyn Fysh, who paid a courtesy visit to the NCC Head Office in Abuja on Wednesday.

The visit took place on the sidelines of Fysh's official engagement in Nigeria. The engagement forms part of her mission to DBI following the Institute's designation by the ITU as a Digital Transformation Centre (DTC), a recognition that places DBI within a global network of institutions dedicated to advancing digital skills and digital transformation initiatives. DBI also serves as the ITU's Digital Training Academy (DTA) in Nigeria.

Representing the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Aminu Maida, the Director, Research and Development, Babagana Digima, received Fysh and members of the DBI delegation led by its President and Chief Executive Officer, David Daser.

While receiving the delegation, Digima reaffirmed the Commission's commitment to innovation, capacity development, and digital transformation. He noted that DBI's designation as an ITU Digital Transformation Centre presents a significant opportunity to deepen collaboration among the NCC, DBI and the ITU in advancing digital skills development and digital inclusion across the country.

“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.

Digima stated that the Commission considers digital literacy and capacity building critical enablers of Nigeria's digital economy aspirations and expressed confidence that DBI's new designation would further strengthen access to quality digital skills training, particularly for underserved and vulnerable populations.

He described DBI's dual designation as a landmark achievement that offers Nigeria a unique opportunity to simultaneously tackle digital exclusion and develop globally competitive ICT expertise.

“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 closely with relevant government agencies, state governments, development partners and other stakeholders to expand access to digital skills training and ensure that no community is left behind in Nigeria's digital transformation journey,” he added.

Earlier, Robyn Fysh commended the longstanding collaboration between the NCC and the ITU in advancing digital development initiatives and promoting digital skills acquisition.

“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 noted that the engagement provided an opportunity for the three organisations to exchange ideas, strengthen collaboration and explore areas of mutual interest in support of a shared vision of accelerating digital transformation and empowering citizens through digital skills and innovation.

Providing an overview of the programme, Fysh explained that the ITU Digital Transformation Centres initiative, launched in partnership with Cisco in 2019, has reached more than 870,000 participants globally, with women accounting for more than half of the beneficiaries. She said the programme is focused on equipping individuals in underserved communities with practical skills that improve employability, entrepreneurship, and participation in the digital economy.

“DBI's new status as a Digital Transformation Centre will help strengthen efforts to empower more people with relevant digital skills and opportunities,” Fysh added.

Also speaking, the President of DBI, David Daser, expressed appreciation to the Management of the NCC for its unwavering support, which enabled the Institute to pursue and attain its recognition by the ITU as a Digital Transformation Centre.

“This achievement reflects the confidence of the ITU in DBI and the unwavering support of the NCC in advancing digital capacity development in Nigeria,” he said.

Daser noted that the Institute recently achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first institution globally to simultaneously hold the status of an ITU Academy Training Centre (ATC) and an ITU Digital Transformation Centre (DTC), following support received from the NCC.

He stressed the importance of the NCC's continued involvement in scaling the initiative nationwide. “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,” he said.

Daser further noted that the initiative aligns with the objectives of Nigeria's National Digital Literacy Framework which targets 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030. Achieving that goal will require stronger collaboration and sustained investment in digital skills development, particularly for underserved populations.

He acknowledged the pivotal role played by the Commission throughout the journey, describing the achievement as a testament to the shared commitment of both institutions to strengthening Nigeria's digital capacity and positioning the country as a leading hub for digital skills development in Africa.

“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,” he added.

Credit NCC PR