By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja
Stakeholders has reiterated the need for access to Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for essential development in the country.
Consequently, they called for more collaborative investment in DPI issues to enhance accessible, affordable, inclusive and sustainable for all citizens.
The call was made at a Public Forum on the Status of Digital Public Infrastructure in Nigeria: Progress, Challenges and Prospects.
The forum was aimed at improving the deployment, public awareness and commitment of Digital Public Infrastructure in Nigeria.
The Forum which had over 100 participants across different fields of life was organized by Media Foundation for West Africa, International Press Center.
According to recent survey, 72% of Nigerians believe access to digital services is essential for development.
The Programme Director, Media and Good Governance, Media Foundation for West Africa. Ms. Abigail Larbi, said that understanding the issue of DPI and finding solution was crucial for implementation.
“As we stand on the threshold of a digital revolution, the need for open dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders has never been more critical. In Nigeria, the deployment of DPI and DPGs holds immense potential to transform the economy, improve access to education and healthcare, and empower all citizens. However, significant challenges remain, necessitating collective action and innovative solutions. It is therefore timely and necessary to convene this forum to delve deeper into the status of DPI in Nigeria, its progress, challenges, and the way forward. the forum, we seek to deliberate on the current state of Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure and Digital Public Goods, assessing the extent to which inclusivity has been ensured in their deployment. As well as highlight the challenges faced in this endeavor and, more importantly, to generate actionable recommendations on how Nigeria can make the adoption of DPI/DPGs more inclusive, safe, and equitable for all its citizens.
Ms. Larbi, noted that the forum marks a crucial step forward in the collective journey towards creating awareness about DPIs and DPGs in the West African Region.
“This widespread recognition underscores the urgency of discussions on DPIs/DPGs.However, equally important is acknowledging that 68% of Nigerians express concerns about online data security. Building trust in Nigeria’s digital infrastructure is paramount. There is a need to prioritize data privacy and cybersecurity measures to ensure that Nigerians feel safe and empowered to participate in the digital world. the MFWA embarked on a journey to enhance journalistic reporting and public awareness of DPI/DPGs through our Digital Public Infrastructure Journalism Fellowship.This project,, supported by Co-Develop, aimed to equip journalists with the knowledge and skills necessary to produce compelling reports on DPI, fostering public engagement and inclusivity in West Africa’s digital landscape”.
Similarly, the Programme Manager, International Press Center (IPC) Mrs. Stella Nwofia, stressed that technology plays a vital role in enhancing media freedom, facilitating access to information, and broadening the horizons of news dissemination.
“In a time where digital innovation is at the heart of societal transformation, our dialogue today is of paramount importance. The synergy between DPI, DPGs, and journalism highlights the critical function of technology in elevating voices, promoting transparency, and empowering journalists in their vital role as democracy’s sentinels. In our rapidly transforming digital environment, where technology influences every aspect of life, it is essential to recognize the significant role Nigerian journalists play in fostering awareness and championing DPI and DPGs. As conveyors of information and narrators of stories, these media practitioners possess the extraordinary ability to elevate public awareness about the transformative impact of DPIs and DPGs, encouraging thoughtful discourse among citizens, decision-makers, and various stakeholders”.
According to the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor of Cross River State, Comrade. Emmanuel Ogbeche, the challenge of insecurity is limiting the progress of digital education in Africa as a whole.
“The challenge of insecurity is a major threat to digital education across Nigeria and Africa as a whole. The challenge of Boko Haram terrorists destroying public masts and digital infrastructure is enormous, cutting off a whole section of citizens from communicating and accessing the right information. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the government to provide the requisite infrastructure. This is why it is important for the West Africa Foundation and IPC to bring attention to this issue, so that we can understand how to best utilize our resources. I believe this conversation will help us address certain challenges faced by journalists and the media, and hopefully, we can make some recommendations going forward.”
The Director of Digital Economy Development Department at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Salisu Kaka, harped on the need for government to create an enabling environment to DPI.
” There is a lot of struggle in terms of educating the society and the people. The capital investment is something that requires collaboration, largely in the private sector, because private sectors are the ones making investments. The government’s role is to enable a safe and efficient space for investment. However, there is a strong appetite for that investment in the private sector. If we want to have the right infrastructure in place, investment is crucial. Besides that, the more the society is educated and aware of the value the infrastructure will bring, the more demand for service. The government can make interventions, but to what extent in all aspects of our development can we convince society that this is critical for business? We are currently struggling through policies, guidelines, and standards that need to be put in place to ensure a business-friendly environment. It is important to learn from reality. Therefore, the government has to ensure that necessary safeguards are provided in terms of technology, ethics, security, privacy, and that trust is built in society.
At the end of the of the forum, it is hoped that awareness about DPI and DPGs in Nigeria is increased with the groundwork for concrete actions towards building a more inclusive and equitable digital future for Nigeria and indeed, for all of West Africa laid.
