FG Seeks Open, Secure Internet In Africa

The federal government of Nigeria, has called a free and secured Internet for Africa, capable of bridging the digital divide and creating innovative opportunities within the continent.

The minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani made the call at the end of Africa Internet Governance Forum at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

He said the administration of President Bola Tinubu is committed to engendering necessary collaborations and international dialogues to achieve these objectives.

The minister, who addressed the forum virtually, 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 to ensure that the Internet is effectively governed to leverage its resources growth.

“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 said as he 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.

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

The executive vice chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, had stated that Nigeria attained tremendous growth in broadband penetration, basic Internet usage, and voice subscriptions and recorded impressive contributions to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Danbatta urged the participants to ensure effective implementations when they return to their respective countries ahead of next year’s forum.