Nigeria has unveiled a far-reaching strategy to domesticate the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS+20), with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) at the centre of efforts to drive inclusive digital growth through infrastructure expansion, transparent internet governance and strengthened cybersecurity.
The strategy was presented in New York at a Nigerian high-level side event themed “Re-Imagining Digital Cooperation for Sustainable Development: From WSIS+20 Vision to Local Action,” underscoring Nigeria’s resolve to convert global digital commitments into actionable national policies.
Speaking at the event, NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, represented by the Director of Corporate Planning and Strategy, Dr. Dimie Shively Wariowei, said the approach is aligned with the four priority areas identified under the ongoing WSIS+20 review. He noted that this alignment provides a practical pathway for translating international agreements into measurable outcomes that support inclusive and sustainable development.
Inuwa identified digital infrastructure as the foundation of effective localisation, pointing to persistent challenges in connecting underserved and remote communities. He also highlighted issues of affordability and digital literacy, stressing that addressing these gaps remains central to Nigeria’s digital inclusion agenda.
According to him, the scale of Nigeria’s infrastructure needs makes collaboration unavoidable, explaining that NITDA is promoting Public-Private Partnership models to accelerate deployment. He revealed that, in collaboration with the World Bank, Nigeria is implementing a nationwide fibre-optic project covering about 90,000 kilometres to significantly improve connectivity.
He also disclosed that the current National Broadband Plan is nearing completion, with plans underway to develop a renewed five-year roadmap. The new plan, he said, will focus on increasing broadband penetration to drive wider digital access and stimulate economic growth.
On internet governance, Inuwa highlighted Nigeria’s active engagement in the Internet Governance Forum, including the successful hosting of its national IGF, which brings together government, private sector players, civil society and the technical community to encourage cooperation and informed policy discussions.
Cybersecurity, he added, remains a critical pillar of NITDA’s localisation drive. He referenced the existing Cybersecurity Act and ongoing efforts to strengthen the legal framework through a revised bill awaiting legislative approval, aimed at protecting users and critical digital infrastructure as internet usage expands.
Inuwa further noted Nigeria’s ambition to play a leadership role in advancing digital cooperation across Africa, stressing the importance of coordinated national data collection in tracking progress and presenting Africa’s digital development accurately on the global stage.
He concluded that sustained engagement following the WSIS+20 review would deepen digital cooperation among African countries and ensure that global digital commitments translate into tangible national and regional impact.
