NCC Moves to Scale Digital Literacy as DBI Secures ITU Digital Transformation Centre Status
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is set to leverage the Digital Bridge Institute’s (DBI) designation as an International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Digital Transformation Centre (DTC) to expand digital literacy, deepen inclusion and equip more Nigerians with skills required to participate in the digital economy.
The Commission disclosed this on Wednesday when the Senior Digital Skills Officer of the ITU, Ms. Robyn Fysh, paid a courtesy visit to the NCC headquarters in Abuja. The development was contained in a statement signed by Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, Director, Public Affairs, NCC, dated October 5, 2026.
The visit followed Fysh’s official engagement in Nigeria and her mission to DBI after the Institute was designated by the ITU as a DTC, placing it within a global network of institutions focused on digital skills development and digital transformation. DBI also serves as the ITU Digital Training Academy in Nigeria.
Receiving Fysh and a DBI delegation led by its President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. David Daser, the NCC Director, Research and Development, Engr. Babagana Digima, who represented the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Dr. Aminu Maida, said the designation presented a major opportunity to strengthen collaboration between the NCC, DBI and ITU.
“DBI’s recognition as an ITU Digital Transformation Centre is a significant milestone for Nigeria’s digital skills ecosystem and an opportunity to expand access to digital literacy and capacity-building programmes across the country,” Digima said.
He said digital literacy and capacity development remained critical to Nigeria’s digital economy ambitions, particularly in expanding access to quality training for underserved and vulnerable populations.
According to him, DBI’s dual designation as an ITU Digital Transformation Centre and training institution provides Nigeria with an opportunity to address digital exclusion while developing globally competitive information and communications technology expertise.
“The NCC remains committed to initiatives that equip Nigerians with the skills needed to participate meaningfully in the digital economy,” Digima said, adding that the Commission would continue working with government agencies, state governments, development partners and other stakeholders to expand access to digital skills training.
He stressed that the objective was to ensure that “no community is left behind in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.”
Earlier, Fysh commended the longstanding partnership between the NCC and ITU in advancing digital development and skills acquisition in Nigeria, saying the collaboration would help accelerate digital transformation and citizen empowerment.
“The ITU values its strong partnership with the NCC and DBI, and we are encouraged by the progress being made to advance digital skills and inclusion in Nigeria,” she said.
Fysh disclosed that the ITU Digital Transformation Centres initiative, launched in partnership with Cisco in 2019, had reached more than 870,000 participants globally, with women accounting for more than half of the beneficiaries.
She said the programme was designed to provide people in underserved communities with practical digital skills to improve employability, entrepreneurship and participation in the digital economy.
“DBI’s new status as a Digital Transformation Centre will help strengthen efforts to empower more people with relevant digital skills and opportunities,” Fysh added.
Daser, who expressed appreciation to the NCC for its support, said the recognition reflected the confidence of the ITU in DBI and the Commission’s commitment to advancing digital capacity development in Nigeria.
“This achievement reflects the confidence of the ITU in DBI and the unwavering support of the NCC in advancing digital capacity development in Nigeria,” he said.
Daser said DBI had recently become the first institution globally to simultaneously hold the status of an ITU Academy Training Centre and an ITU Digital Transformation Centre, following support from the NCC.
He called for continued NCC involvement in scaling the initiative nationwide, particularly through the Commission’s infrastructure, networks and partnerships.
“As a prominent state actor, the NCC can help drive this agenda by leveraging its infrastructure, networks and partnerships to extend digital skills training and certification opportunities to underserved communities nationwide,” Daser said.
He said the initiative aligned with the objectives of Nigeria’s National Digital Literacy Framework, which targets 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030, stressing that achieving the target would require sustained investment and stronger collaboration, particularly to reach underserved populations.
Daser said DBI’s new status would enable the Institute to expand its impact and contribute to the development of a digitally skilled workforce capable of supporting Nigeria and Africa’s digital transformation.
“As a Digital Transformation Centre, we are better positioned to expand our impact and support the development of a digitally skilled workforce for Nigeria and Africa,” he said.
