By Nkechi Eze
Nigeria has clinched the prestigious 2025 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prize for its Digital Awareness Programme (DAP), a flagship initiative of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in recognition of the country’s strides in expanding access to information and digital inclusion.
The DAP emerged as the top project under Category C3: Access to Information and Knowledge, receiving the highest number of votes in its category. The WSIS Prizes, organised annually by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), honour outstanding initiatives that use information and communication technologies (ICTs) to advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to a statement signed by the NCC’s Head of Public Affairs, Nenna Ukoha, the award was presented on Monday during the WSIS Prizes Winners Ceremony held in Geneva, Switzerland. Nigeria’s delegation was led by the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, who accepted the award on behalf of the country.
In his acceptance remarks, Dr. Maida expressed deep appreciation to the ITU and WSIS for recognising Nigeria’s sustained efforts to bridge the digital divide through inclusive ICT policies and infrastructure.
“This recognition is more than a celebration of past efforts, it is an encouragement to press forward,” Dr. Maida stated. “It affirms that investing in digital inclusion is investing in national development, and that Nigeria’s work is being seen and valued on the global stage.”
The Digital Awareness Programme has, since its inception in 2006, equipped over 300 secondary schools across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones with ICT tools and internet connectivity to enhance teaching, learning, and research. By targeting young learners in underserved areas, the programme aims to build a generation of digitally literate citizens and bridge educational inequalities.
In addition to the DAP’s win, four other Nigerian ICT-driven projects received international recognition for their impact and were honoured as WSIS Champions. These include the Women Techsters and the Advanced Digital Empowerment Programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADEPTI) under the Capacity Building category, the Telecom-Based Research Grant Initiative under Enabling Environment, and the Digital Learning Initiative under e-Learning. Although these projects did not win their respective categories, their nomination underscored Nigeria’s growing reputation for ICT innovation and development impact.
The WSIS Prizes spotlight global initiatives that harness ICTs to tackle development challenges, promote innovation, and build inclusive information societies. Projects submitted undergo a rigorous selection process, including public voting and expert evaluation, before winners are announced.
The World Summit on the Information Society is a United Nations initiative that provides a global multi-stakeholder platform for governments, private sector players, academia, civil society, and technical organisations to engage on ICT issues. The annual forum supports the implementation of WSIS Action Lines aligned with the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
This win marks a significant milestone for Nigeria’s digital transformation journey and affirms the NCC’s commitment to driving equitable access to digital tools and knowledge in line with national and global development goals.
