The Federal Government has called for a free and secure internet for Africa to bridge the digital division and create innovative opportunities within the continent.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, made the call at the just-concluded Africa Internet Governance Forum in Abuja.

The Minister, who addressed the forum virtually, said the administration of President Bola Tinubu is committed to engendering necessary collaborations and international dialogues to achieve these objectives.

The minister, according to a statement issued by the NCC spokesperson, Reuben Muoka, on Monday, September 25, 2023, said Nigeria, as the largest telecommunications market in Africa, is conscious of all the dynamics of emerging technologies around internet usage and would continue to work with countries in Africa on different fronts to ensure that the internet is effectively governed so its innumerable resources can be leveraged for citizens and nation’s growth.

He said: “The need for our consistent collaboration to develop our economy collectively is preeminent in the agenda of the current administration in Nigeria. It is through this kind of forum that we can bridge the digital divides, enhance cybersecurity, ensure digital rights, and foster innovation.

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“It is, therefore, our collective duty to ensure that the internet remains open, safe, and beneficial for all.”

Tijani called on all the stakeholders to prioritise a collaborative approach to creating policies and strategies that will shape the future of the internet in Africa, the future which he said will reflect the continent’s shared values, aspirations, and diversity.

He, however, commended the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and other agencies that constituted the Local Organising Committee (LOG) as well as all sponsors, for a successful 2023 AfIGF.

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, provided insights on the commission’s commitment to driving a secure internet ecosystem in Nigeria through various regulatory initiatives.

Danbatta stated that Nigeria has attained tremendous growth in broadband penetration, basic Internet usage, and voice subscriptions and recorded impressive contributions to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

On his part, the Chief of the Section on Innovation and Technology at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Dr Mactar Seck, thanked the NCC and all entities of government that provided support and played a great role in ensuring the success of the event.

Seck said with a forum such as the AfIGF, African nations can continue to aggregate views that allow them to speak with one voice to get greater benefits for African economic development.

The Star