Nigeria’s drive for digital inclusion received international acclaim on Monday as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) clinched the 2025 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prize in the prestigious “Access to Information and Knowledge” category.
By Chimezie Godfrey
Nigeria’s drive for digital inclusion received international acclaim on Monday as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) clinched the 2025 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prize in the prestigious “Access to Information and Knowledge” category.
The award was given in recognition of NCC’s Digital Awareness Programme (DAP), which emerged as the top project under Category C3 at the WSIS Prizes competition, beating hundreds of global entries with the highest number of votes.
The DAP, launched in 2006, provides ICT tools, internet connectivity, and digital training to secondary schools across Nigeria. So far, over 300 schools spanning the six geopolitical zones have benefitted from the initiative, which aims to bridge the digital divide and improve access to knowledge for young Nigerians.
The award was presented during the WSIS Prizes Winners 2025 Ceremony held in Geneva, Switzerland. Receiving the award on behalf of Nigeria, NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, expressed gratitude to the organisers—the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and WSIS—for acknowledging Nigeria’s efforts in expanding digital access.
“This recognition is more than a celebration of past efforts—it is an encouragement to press forward. 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,” Dr. Maida said during his acceptance speech.
In addition to the DAP, four other Nigerian initiatives were shortlisted for recognition in the Champions Category: Women Techsters and Advanced Digital Empowerment Programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADEPTI) under Capacity Building, the Telecom-Based Research Grant Initiative under Enabling Environment, and the Digital Learning Initiative under e-Learning. Though they didn’t make the top three in their categories, the WSIS organisers acknowledged their significant contributions and impact.
The WSIS Prizes highlight outstanding ICT projects that support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Held annually, the Forum brings together global stakeholders including governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector to promote the use of ICTs as tools for sustainable development and digital equity.
WSIS, a UN-led initiative, continues to serve as a vital platform for sharing innovations that build a people-centred, inclusive information society.
: