NCC, DBI, ITU deepen partnership to boost digital skills, inclusion in Nigeria

L-R: President/CEO, Digital Bridge Institute, Nigeria, David Daser; Senior Digital Skills Officer, International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Headquarters, Geneva, Robyn Fysh, and Director, Research and Development, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Engr. Babagana Digima, during a courtesy visit at the Commission’s headquarters on 30th September, 2026.

Stanley Ihedigbo

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has pledged to leverage the Digital Bridge Institute’s (DBI) recognition as an International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Digital Transformation Centre (DTC) to expand digital literacy, promote inclusion and equip more Nigerians with skills required to participate in the digital economy.

The Commission said the designation presents an opportunity to strengthen collaboration among the NCC, DBI and ITU in expanding access to digital skills training, particularly for underserved and vulnerable communities across the country.

According to the Director, Public Affairs
Nigerian Communications Commission, Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, they disclosed this when it received the ITU’s Senior Digital Skills Officer, Ms. Robyn Fysh, who paid a courtesy visit to its headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, during her official engagement in Nigeria.

Fysh’s visit formed part of her mission to DBI following the Institute’s designation as an ITU Digital Transformation Centre. DBI also serves as the ITU’s Digital Training Academy in Nigeria.

Representing the NCC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Aminu Maida, the Commission’s Director of Research and Development, Engr. Babagana Digima, received Fysh and members of the 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 recognition as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s digital skills ecosystem.

He said the new designation would create opportunities to broaden access to digital literacy programmes and strengthen capacity-building initiatives nationwide.

According to him, digital literacy and capacity development remain critical to achieving Nigeria’s digital economy aspirations, particularly as the country seeks to ensure that more citizens can participate meaningfully in an increasingly technology-driven world.

He described DBI’s dual designation as a landmark achievement that could help Nigeria address digital exclusion while developing globally competitive information and communications technology (ICT) expertise.

“The NCC remains committed to initiatives that equip Nigerians with the skills needed to participate meaningfully in the digital economy. We will continue to work closely with relevant government agencies, state governments, development partners and other stakeholders to expand access to digital skills training and ensure that no community is left behind in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey,” Digima said.

ITU commends Nigeria’s digital skills drive

Earlier, Fysh commended the longstanding collaboration between the NCC and the ITU in advancing digital development initiatives and promoting digital skills acquisition in Nigeria.

She said the engagement provided an opportunity for the three organisations to exchange ideas, strengthen existing partnerships and explore areas of mutual interest in accelerating digital transformation through skills development and innovation.

Fysh explained that the ITU Digital Transformation Centres initiative, launched in partnership with Cisco in 2019, had reached more than 870,000 participants globally, with women accounting for more than half of the beneficiaries.

She said the initiative focuses on equipping people in underserved communities with practical digital skills that can improve employability, support entrepreneurship and enhance participation in the digital economy.

According to her, DBI’s designation as a Digital Transformation Centre would strengthen efforts to empower more people with relevant skills and economic opportunities.

“The ITU values its strong partnership with the NCC and DBI, and we are encouraged by the progress being made to advance digital skills and inclusion in Nigeria,” Fysh said.

DBI seeks wider nationwide reach

In his remarks, Daser expressed appreciation to the NCC management for its support, which he said enabled the Institute to pursue and attain its ITU Digital Transformation Centre designation.

He described the recognition as evidence of the ITU’s confidence in DBI and the shared commitment of both institutions to strengthening digital capacity development in Nigeria.

Daser said DBI had achieved 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 (DTC).

He stressed the importance of sustained NCC support in extending the initiative’s reach across the country, particularly to communities with limited access to digital training and certification opportunities.

According to him, the Commission could help drive the initiative through its infrastructure, networks and partnerships, enabling more Nigerians to benefit from digital skills development programmes.

Daser added that the initiative aligns with the objectives of Nigeria’s National Digital Literacy Framework, which targets 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030.

He noted that achieving the target would require stronger collaboration among government institutions, development partners and other stakeholders, alongside sustained investment in digital education and skills acquisition.

The DBI president expressed confidence that the Institute’s new status would strengthen its capacity to support the development of a digitally skilled workforce for Nigeria and 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.

The collaboration among the NCC, DBI and ITU is expected to provide further opportunities to expand digital skills training, improve inclusion and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to participate in the global digital economy.