The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said it will leverage the Digital Bridge Institute’s (DBI) recognition by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) as a Digital Transformation Centre (DTC) to expand digital literacy, strengthen inclusion and equip more Nigerians with skills required to participate in the digital economy.
The Commission disclosed this in a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Mrs Nnenna Ukoha, on Monday.
The NCC stated that the development followed a courtesy visit by the ITU Senior Digital Skills Officer, Ms Robyn Fysh, to its headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
The visit formed part of Fysh’s official engagement in Nigeria following the designation of DBI as an ITU Digital Transformation Centre, placing the Nigerian institute within a global network of centres focused on digital skills development and digital transformation.
DBI also serves as the ITU’s Digital Training Academy (DTA) in Nigeria.
Representing the NCC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Aminu Maida, the Director of Research and Development, Engr Babagana Digima, received Fysh and a DBI delegation led by its President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr David Daser.
Digima reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to innovation, capacity development and digital transformation, describing DBI’s new status as an opportunity to strengthen collaboration between the NCC, DBI and ITU.
He said the recognition could help expand access to digital literacy and capacity-building programmes, particularly among underserved and vulnerable communities.
“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,” Digima said.
He described digital literacy and capacity development as critical to achieving Nigeria’s digital economy objectives, adding that the DTC designation would strengthen access to quality digital skills training and help address digital exclusion.
According to him, DBI’s dual recognition presents Nigeria with an opportunity to simultaneously broaden digital access and develop globally competitive information and communications technology expertise.
“The NCC remains committed to initiatives that equip Nigerians with the skills needed to participate meaningfully in the digital economy,” he said.
Digima added that the Commission would continue to work with government agencies, state governments, development partners and other stakeholders to expand digital skills training and ensure that communities across the country were included in Nigeria’s digital transformation.
Earlier, Fysh commended the longstanding partnership between the NCC and ITU in advancing digital development and promoting digital skills acquisition in Nigeria.
She said the engagement provided an opportunity for the three institutions to exchange ideas, strengthen their collaboration and identify areas of mutual interest in advancing digital transformation and empowering citizens through technology and innovation.
Fysh explained that the ITU Digital Transformation Centres initiative, launched in partnership with Cisco in 2019, had reached more than 870,000 people globally, with women accounting for more than half of the beneficiaries.
She said the initiative focuses on providing people in underserved communities with practical digital skills to 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 said.
Also speaking, Daser expressed appreciation to the NCC for its support, which he said enabled DBI to pursue and secure its recognition by the ITU as a Digital Transformation Centre.
He described the achievement as evidence of the ITU’s confidence in DBI and the NCC’s commitment to strengthening digital capacity development in Nigeria.
Daser said DBI had recently attained what he described as 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.
He attributed the achievement partly to the support received from the NCC and called for continued collaboration to expand 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,” Daser said.
He said the initiative was aligned with the objectives of Nigeria’s National Digital Literacy Framework, which targets 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030.
Daser stressed that achieving the target would require stronger institutional collaboration and sustained investment in digital skills development, particularly for underserved populations.
He further acknowledged the role of the NCC in DBI’s journey towards the ITU recognition, describing the development as a reflection of the shared commitment of both institutions to strengthening Nigeria’s digital capacity and positioning the country as a major 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 said.
