NCC, Stakeholders Meet To Boost Digital Literacy

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has joined critical stakeholders in the telecoms industry to strengthen the education landscape through the Zero-rated Access Education Platform and Content aimed at redefining the sector in Nigeria by leveraging the digital infrastructure to catalyse highly skilled digital literacy.

Speaking during a public stakeholders consultative forum in Abuja on Tuesday, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, said the Zero-rated Access is one of the interventions by the Commission in both tertiary and sub-tertiary institutions, which is being boosted by providing internet connectivity and devices such as digital platforms, ICT centres, e- library.

Represented by the Director of Policy Competition and Economic Analysis Department at the Commission, Ayuba Shuaibu, the NCC boss said the commission realised early enough that the surest way to make Nigeria’s educational institutions centres of excellence is through technology.

He disclosed that the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) will bear the cost of the programme 100% as other important stakeholders such as tech companies, regulators in the educational sectors and other stakeholders in the education sector collaborate to push this project which he noted will be beneficial to all.

The NCC initiated this project to break down digital barriers in Nigeria’s national digital transformation journey. Through the foresight of the NCC, the industry committee on zero-rated access has laid the groundwork for a policy framework that will redefine the educational landscape of Nigeria to leverage the digital infrastructure to catalyse a highly skilled, digitally literate nation.

Speaking also in his capacity, Shuaibu said that over the past few weeks, the Committee has carefully examined the technical, regulatory, policy, and commercial considerations associated with this initiative. The outcome of that exercise is the Consultation Paper, which has been published for public comment.

He said, “Today’s consultation marks an important milestone in that process. While the Industry Committee has identified key issues and proposed several implementation options, we recognise that the long-term impact of this initiative depends on broad stakeholder participation.

“For this framework to truly work, it must be shaped by the perspectives of those who will build and implement it, those who will provide educational content, the students and teachers who will utilise it daily, and the families and communities who will ultimately benefit from its outcomes.

“The objective of this initiative is straightforward but deeply significant; and that is to reduce the affordability barrier that locks millions of Nigerian students out of the digital classroom. While brilliant minds and immense potential can be found in every corner of our country, we all know that digital opportunities are not.

“Our task is to fix that gap, but as we do, we must ensure that our solutions remain transparent, sustainable, technologically sound, and entirely consistent with fair competition and sound regulatory practice.”

According to him, the committee will look into the most appropriate implementation model(s) and who should be eligible, as well as definition of educational content and platforms; The funding and sustainability mechanisms that will ensure that the initiative remains viable in the long run; and the safeguards that are required to preserve net neutrality, promote fair competition, and ensure inclusivity and effective governance.

Dr. Yinka Oyerinde, the Digital Transformation Specialist for UNESCO office in Abuja in an interview said the project is “strategically positioned to ensure that maximum yield is gained because the precursor factors required for this to be a success are already in place chief of is the digital literacy advancement programme that the Ministry of Communication Innovation and Digital Economy has been pushing for a years.”

Also speaking, the Secretary General of the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Clerus Katung, pledged full support of the Association to the committee to enable it to achieve its objectives.

He said, “We view this initiative not just as a Corporate Social Responsibility project but as a shared national responsibility aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s human capital and advancing the country’s digital and socio-economic development.

“The students and teachers who will benefit from this programme will in the near future constitute the pool of skilled professionals from which our industries and other sectors of the economy will recruit employers, innovators and leaders, who will be instrumental in building a more peaceful and prosperous digital inclusive Nigeria.”