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Nigeria’s extensive digital social investments, spearheaded by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), were prominently featured at the 35th annual African Public Relations Association (APRA) conference held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, head of Media Management Relations at the NCC, presented on behalf of the commission. His presentation, titled “Digital Inclusion as Arbiter of Accessible PR: A Case of the Nigerian Communications Commission,” highlighted the commission’s impactful digital initiatives aimed at expanding infrastructure, supporting SMEs, empowering educational institutions, fostering innovation, and promoting digital skills among Nigerian youth.
Dr. Ibietan’s presentation showcased 36 key initiatives, including:
- Advanced Digital Awareness Programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADAPTI)
- Campus Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programme (CIEP)
- e-PAD project for 232 institutions
- Digital Appreciation Project (DAP) for 247 secondary schools
- Digital Literacy Training for Teachers (DLT)
- Digital Integration Programme (DIP) for MSMEs
- E-Accessibility programme for persons with disabilities
Additional initiatives included the Nigerian Girls Can Code Competition, the Build A-Thon, Tertiary Institutions Digital Centre (TIDC) for 250 institutions, 2,291 Digital Nigeria Centers (DNC) offering online and offline educational resources, Local Application and Content Deployment programmes, and 72 Rural Broadband Initiative projects.
Through its Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), the NCC has launched numerous digital infrastructure projects and collaborative activities with stakeholders, significantly enhancing digital literacy and narrowing the digital divide. These efforts have facilitated greater participation in political, economic, and social processes and have made digital public relations more accessible across Nigeria.
At the APRA conference, which featured over 20 papers on the theme “One Africa, One Voice: Bridging Africa’s Communication Divide,” Dr. Ibietan’s was the sole presentation showcasing digital infrastructure investments by an African country. Many other papers underscored the importance of broadband infrastructure for fostering digital culture across the continent.
Dr. Ibietan emphasized that digital inclusion is essential for economic growth and development, highlighting the ability of individuals and groups to access and fully participate in the digital society through the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). He argued that digital inclusion not only involves access to technologies but also the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to effectively utilize them.
He explained:
“Digital inclusion promotes social and economic opportunities, enhances civic engagement and participation, supports education and lifelong learning, fosters digital literacy and skills development, encourages innovation and entrepreneurship, and helps to bridge the digital divide and reduce inequalities.”
Referencing the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Ibietan noted the critical role of digital infrastructure in maintaining economic stability, enabling individuals, businesses, and the government to transition their activities online to mitigate the pandemic’s impact.
He concluded by recommending continuous and seamless communication among stakeholders to ensure the efficient management and maximization of the benefits from social investment and infrastructural projects.
Dr. Ibietan’s new role as Secretary-General of APRA, elected during the event, further underscores Nigeria’s leadership and commitment to advancing digital inclusion across Africa.
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