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IHS Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to building a more sustainable, resilient and inclusive telecommunications and technology ecosystem in Nigeria, with stakeholders calling for stronger collaboration around the sector’s environmental, social and governance priorities.
The company restated its position at a stakeholder breakfast session organised by the Telecommunications and Technology Sustainability Working Group (TTSWG) in Abuja.
Held on Thursday, September 17, at the Abuja Continental Hotel, the session brought together representatives from regulatory agencies, telecommunications and technology companies, academia, development organisations, technology startups and other industry stakeholders to discuss sustainability priorities across the sector.
TTSWG advances 2025–2030 sustainability strategy
The engagement provided an opportunity for TTSWG to present its 2025–2030 Strategy and proposed sustainability metrics for the Nigerian telecommunications industry to the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC).
Speaking on behalf of IHS Nigeria, the company’s Director of Sustainability, Titilope Oguntuga, welcomed the stakeholder engagement, describing the dialogue as important for developing practical sustainability solutions across the telecommunications and technology ecosystem.
She said the meeting provided an opportunity for stakeholders to assess progress made so far and identify areas requiring further action, while strengthening collaboration around environmental, social and governance priorities.
“TTSWG’s progress reflects a shared and enduring conviction: that technology and innovation remain among the most effective tools available to address the sector’s challenges. This conviction continues to guide the work and partnerships shaping the telecommunications and technology space today.”
Oguntuga stressed the importance of collaboration among industry operators, regulators and other stakeholders in addressing challenges affecting the sustainability and resilience of Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.
She added that TTSWG provides a platform for policy dialogue, research, capacity building and partnerships around shared priorities within the telecommunications and technology sectors.
Renewable energy and digital inclusion remain priorities
In his opening remarks, TTSWG Board Chairman, Engr. Abdu-Waya Mohammed, said the strategy was designed to provide a framework for strengthening collaboration around sustainability across the telecommunications and technology ecosystem.
He identified key areas covered by the strategy as the transition to renewable energy, digital inclusion, stronger governance frameworks, collaborative innovation and sustainable development.
Mohammed, however, noted that the strategy remains a draft developed through the TTSWG Secretariat’s stakeholder engagement process and would benefit from additional contributions from industry participants and other stakeholders.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Climate Innovation Center (NCIC), Bankole Oloruntoba, described TTSWG as a multi-stakeholder platform established to advance sustainability across the telecommunications and technology ecosystem.
According to him, the Working Group’s activities cover sustainable energy adoption, digital inclusion, e-waste management, gender and capacity development, youth participation, innovation, community development and policy advocacy.
He also highlighted initiatives including the Innovation Makers Challenge (IMC), research and knowledge-sharing activities, webinars and programmes aimed at recognising and supporting innovation within the telecommunications and technology ecosystem.
Proposed metrics seek to measure sustainability performance
A major component of the Abuja engagement was the presentation of proposed sustainability metrics for Nigeria’s telecommunications industry by Dr Chris Uwaje, a Board Member of TTSWG.
The proposed framework is intended to establish measurable indicators for assessing sustainability performance across areas including energy and decarbonisation, digital inclusion and affordability, digital integrity and consumer trust, infrastructure resilience, governance and waste reduction.
Uwaje stressed that the metrics remain under development and were presented for stakeholder review and feedback.
He said the objective was to strengthen the framework through wider industry input before it is considered by the relevant regulatory authorities.
NCC identifies areas of alignment
The engagement also featured contributions from the NCC, including Helen Obi, Director of the Commission’s Digital Economy Department, who represented the Executive Vice Chairman.
Obi acknowledged areas of alignment between the Commission’s priorities and issues being advanced by TTSWG, including broadband expansion, resilient connectivity, digital skills, local device manufacturing and the development of assistive technologies for persons with disabilities.
The NCC encouraged TTSWG to formally submit its proposed sustainability framework and other relevant documents to the Commission for detailed review and feedback.
The open interactive session that followed allowed participants to raise questions and make recommendations on the proposed strategy and metrics.
Stakeholders called for greater access to financing for technology and telecommunications innovation, stronger alignment with relevant international standards, increased attention to accessibility for persons with disabilities and clearer mechanisms for translating research findings into measurable policy and industry outcomes.
Stakeholders urged to deepen participation
TTSWG encouraged participants to continue submitting feedback through its stakeholder engagement channels and called for broader membership, particularly among organisations operating in Abuja and Northern Nigeria.
In her closing remarks, the Vice Chairperson of the TTSWG Board, Dr Wunmi Hassan, urged stakeholders to remain engaged with the Working Group and support efforts to strengthen the sustainability ecosystem for Nigeria’s telecommunications and technology sectors.
Hassan also appreciated IHS Nigeria and NCIC for their support in advancing the TTSWG agenda and encouraged organisations across the ecosystem to participate in its programmes and initiatives.
The Abuja stakeholder engagement forms part of TTSWG’s wider efforts to expand participation and establish a more coordinated approach to sustainability across Nigeria’s telecommunications and technology industries.
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