The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation following a courtesy visit by the Director of its Telecommunication Development Bureau, Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Abuja.
Dr. Zavazava, who was accompanied by the ITU Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Emmanuel Manasseh, led a delegation to the agency as part of ongoing efforts to deepen collaboration on inclusive and sustainable digital development across Nigeria and the wider African region.
The ITU team was received by NITDA’s **Director of Corporate Planning and Strategy, Dr. Warowei Dimie**, who represented the Director-General, alongside other senior officials of the agency. Discussions during the visit focused on shared priorities, including digital inclusion, skills development, infrastructure expansion, and the need to close connectivity gaps in underserved communities.
Speaking on behalf of NITDA’s leadership, Dr. Dimie described the ITU as a strategic partner whose global experience continues to provide valuable guidance for Nigeria’s digital growth. He noted that digital literacy remains a top priority for the country, with Nigeria targeting **70 percent digital literacy** in the near term and making steady progress through partnerships with the private sector and development organisations.
He highlighted the National Digital Literacy Framework as a key tool guiding the country’s skills development efforts, ensuring that training programmes are inclusive and responsive to the needs of different population groups. Dr. Dimie also acknowledged ongoing challenges around rural connectivity, stressing the importance of community-focused solutions such as grassroots digital training and the deployment of NYSC members to support digital awareness at the local level.
In his remarks, Dr. Zavazava outlined the ITU’s mandate to bridge the global digital divide by promoting inclusive ICT development, strengthening regulatory environments, and supporting countries in building resilient digital infrastructure. He said these goals align closely with Nigeria’s ambition to build a strong and inclusive digital economy.
He added that Nigeria is already benefiting from several ITU-backed initiatives, including broadband infrastructure mapping, digital skills programmes, and cybersecurity capacity building. According to him, Nigeria is one of 11 countries in sub-Saharan Africa participating in a €15 million ITU–European Commission broadband mapping project, while also taking part in large-scale global cybersecurity drills coordinated by the ITU and its partners.
The visit underscored the shared resolve of both organisations to strengthen cooperation and leverage technology as a tool for economic growth, innovation, and social inclusion, as Nigeria continues its journey toward a more connected and digitally empowered society.
