Abuja: The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has assured Nigerians of accessible, resilient, and safe digital space in the nation’s digital economy. The Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management, NCC, Rimini Makama, gave the assurance at the NCC’s Digital Economy Sensitisation Forum, with the theme, ‘Leaving No One Behind: Digital Access, Equity and Empowerment’ in Abuja. The event brought major stakeholders in the digital economy ecosystem together to create cybersecurity awareness.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Makama, who was represented by the Head, Consumer Information and Education, Olasumbo Olawaiye, emphasized that without access, there can be no opportunity. He stated that the commission remained committed to ensuring that Nigeria’s national telecommunications infrastructure remained resilient, accessible, and secure. “Digital empowerment must be inclusive. Without inclusion and equity, the benefits of the digital economy will remain unevenly distributed. The commission, through its Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) and other initiatives, is actively extending digital opportunities to the unserved, underserved, physically challenged, and vulnerable groups through several impactful programmes,” Makama explained.
The Publicity Expert for the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Dr. Nihinlola Fefa, highlighted the association’s longstanding commitment to cybersecurity awareness and sensitisation. “ATCON has been a key stakeholder in the ICT and telecom industry. We have always advocated for cybersecurity awareness and sensitisation. We have been giving our own input over the years. We interface with all the telecom companies. We do a lot of studies, and we also give our contributions in so many ways,” she noted. She also commended the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, for deploying technology into rural communities.
Fefa acknowledged that while Nigeria is performing well in cybersecurity, there is still room for improvement. “We are in a good position right now and we can do better from the government side,” she remarked. Meanwhile, Olorunisomo Isola, Head, IT and Cybersecurity, National Data Protection Commission (NDPC), mentioned that the commission had rolled out the necessary framework to guide both organisations.
Earlier, the Head, Digital Economy Department of the ministry, Yahaya Abubakar, remarked that the event gathered stakeholders and policymakers to build a Nigeria where digital access translates into real opportunity for all.