Nigeria Internet Governance Forum Concludes with Call for Action on Digital Transformation and Trust.

Abuja, Nigeria – 15.09.2023 – The Nigeria Internet Governance Forum (NIGF) 2023 concluded today with a call to action for all stakeholders to work together to advance digital transformation and trust in Nigeria.

The forum, which was held on September 13^th – 14^th, 2023 at NCC Mbora Hall brought together over 500 participants from government, industry, civil society, academia, and the technical community to discuss a wide range of issues related to Internet governance, including:

• Access and inclusion
• Cybersecurity and online safety
• Data governance and trust
• Digital infrastructure and emerging technologies
• Human rights and freedoms
• Multistakeholder cooperation

In his closing remarks, NIGF Chair Adesola Akinsanya said that the forum had been a success in bringing together stakeholders from different sectors to discuss the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation in Nigeria. He also highlighted the importance of multistakeholder cooperation in addressing these challenges and building a more inclusive and trusted digital future for the country.

Among the key takeaways from the forum were:

• The need to bridge the digital divide and ensure that all Nigerians have access to affordable and reliable internet access.
• The importance of cybersecurity and online safety, and the need for government, industry, and civil society to work together to address these challenges.
• The need to develop a comprehensive data governance framework that protects the privacy and security of Nigerians’ data.
• The importance of investing in digital infrastructure and emerging technologies to support Nigeria’s digital innovation and transformation.
• The need to promote human rights and freedoms online, and to ensure that the internet remains an open and inclusive platform for all.

The NIGF is a national platform for multistakeholder dialogue on internet governance issues in Nigeria. It is organized by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in collaboration with other stakeholders.

The forum is held annually and is open to all interested stakeholders.

• The forum was attended by over 300 participants from over 30 States across Nigeria.
• The forum featured over 6 sessions on a wide range of topics related to internet governance.
• The forum also featured the Nigeria School on Internet Governance by the Internet Society Nigeria Chapter.
• The forum concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders to work together to advance digital transformation and trust in Nigeria.

The forum helps to raise awareness of these issues and to develop consensus on how to address them. The NIGF also plays an important role in promoting multistakeholder cooperation on internet governance in Nigeria.