Nigeria has received international recognition for its national digital inclusion efforts, with its Digital Awareness Programme (DAP) earning top honors at the 2025 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Geneva. The award, presented under the Access to Information and Knowledge category, acknowledges the country’s long-term strategy to expand digital access and literacy, particularly through secondary education.
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The DAP initiative, established by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has provided ICT infrastructure and internet access to over 300 secondary schools across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones since 2006. The programme supports learning, research, and capacity building among students, contributing to the country’s broader digital transformation agenda.
In addition to the DAP, several other Nigerian projects were recognized as WSIS Champions in categories such as capacity building, e-learning, and enabling environments. These include initiatives like the Women Techsters programme, the Advanced Digital Empowerment Programme, and a telecom-based research grant scheme.
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The recognition aligns with Nigeria’s broader push to accelerate digital inclusion through nationwide infrastructure expansion. The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is advancing plans to establish 1,600 ICT centres, significantly increasing from the 222 currently operational. These centres are intended to serve schools, rural communities, and public institutions.
The government has also introduced a National Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy and is working on integrating disability-inclusive training frameworks. These measures aim to address the digital divide affecting women, youth, and persons with disabilities, estimated to number over 35 million across the country.
Efforts are further supported by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), which has launched the USPF Impact Alliance. This initiative is focused on delivering ICT projects and connectivity to underserved and unserved areas, with more than 100,000 computers and 2,500 projects already deployed nationwide.
The UN award underscores Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to position itself as a regional leader in digital access and education, while reinforcing the strategic role of ICT in national development and economic inclusion.
