Telecom
FG, ITU Seek Global Action on Submarine Cable Disruptions
To prevent damage and disruptions to submarine communication cables, which are essential to the global digital economy, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is calling on the international community to work together and take collective action.
Doreen Bogdan-Martin, secretary general of ITU, made the call during the opening ceremony of the ITU International Submarine Cable Resilience inaugural summit hosted by Nigeria in Abuja.
The summit is being attended by more than 300 delegates from the 194 ITU-member countries across the world.
She said that at the moment, the digital economy accounted for the greater parts of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and it is expected to peak at 16.5 trillion dollars by 2028.
Bogdan-Martin underscored the need for global attention and focus on measures that would sustain the spate of rapid development in the digital economy sector, with submarine cable connectivity accounting for 95 percent of its backbone.
“The past two decades have seen a vast digital shift, with new socio-economic opportunities as well as challenges. Since the 2005 World Summit on the increasing society, the number of internet users back then in 2005 stood at one billion.
“At the end of last year, we had 5.5 billion internet users. And today, the global digital economy is growing faster than global GDP and is expected to reach 16.5 trillion U.S. dollars by 2028.
“Over the next decade, some estimate that more than two-thirds of the new value creation could come from digitally enabled companies,” the ITU boss said.
She noted that “as our economies and digital innovations grow, and as we seek to bring meaningful connectivity to all, so does our reliance on digital infrastructure like submarine cables.
“This global undersea network is emblematic of the innovation and the investment required to connect the world meaningfully,” Bogdan-Martin said.
The Secretary General lamented that despite the resilience of submarine cables, about 200 disruptions are witnessed yearly, while fixing them across continents and countries is difficult and slow.
According Bogdan-Martin, the global economy always feel the impact of submarine cable cuts and disruptions, stressing that
“Submarine cables are put in place by an interplay of technology, business, and policy that has to be considered holistically.”
“That’s why this summit includes a diversity of stakeholders that are essential to this conversation,” the ITU boss added.
She commended Nigeria for hosting the event and called on the ITU Advisory Body, the academic community, and other stakeholders to work towards a lasting solution to the challenges of underwater cable cuts and disruptions across the globe.
Prof. Sandra Maximiano, Co-chair of the Advisory Board for ITU, underscored the importance of the International Advisory Board for Submarine Cable Business and Economy at the Summit, saying that positive developments have been witnessed in the industry.
“It is no coincidence that we are meeting here in Abuja today, given that several cable cuts occurred in March last year affecting multiple countries in West Africa, including Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, and Senegal.
“This incident highlighted the critical importance of subsea cable businesses in this region, with some estimates indicating that over 70 million customers were affected.
“While Nigeria is served by several submarine cable systems, many of which also land in my home country, Portugal, including Maniwari, the Africa coast to Europe, Etihanu, and to Africa, other Western African countries are served by only by a single submarine cable,” Maximiano said.
Dr. Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, who welcomed the ITU delegates to Nigeria, urged participants to take advantage of the hospitality of Nigeria.
On the issues of submarine cables, Dr. Tijani said, “This is not just a technical or industry-specific challenge. It is a global imperative that affects the financial market, trade, education, health systems, and even governance.”
He said, “In Nigeria, the government is investing in digital infrastructure for global access, broadband expansion, and economic transformation.
“Under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria is committed to strengthening its digital infrastructure and advancing policies that support connectivity, innovation, and economic growth.
“We are taking decisive steps as a nation to recognise and protect the government’s infrastructure as critical national infrastructure, aligning with our broader efforts to enhance digital resilience across all sectors.
“As a government, we are also deeply invested in leveraging digital property infrastructure, promoting global access, and expanding broadband penetration, ensuring that connectivity remains a catalyst for economic transformation and revolution.
“The outcomes of this summit will not only influence policy and investment decisions but also serve as the foundation for global cooperation and long-term resilience,” he added.
In a resounding commitment to bridging gender digital divide, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs (FMWA), has taken a decisive step toward closing the gender digital divide by presenting the National Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy (NGDIS) at the United Nations 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69). Themed “Digital Harmony: Advancing Gender Inclusion by Empowering Women and Children for a Secure Digital Future,” the high-level event reinforced Nigeria’s commitment to fostering equitable access to digital technology, online safety, and economic empowerment for women and children.
L-R: Esther Eghobamien-Mshelis – President of UN CEDAW, Iklima Musa – Special Assistant to the Director General of NITDA, Noimot Salako – Deputy Governor Ogun state, Maryam Ciroma – former minster of women affairs, Imaan Sulaiman- Minister of Women Affairs, Josephine Anenih – former Minister of women affairs and Dr Maryam Keshinro – Permanent Secretary – Ministry of Women Affairs at the United Nations 69th Session.
Speaking at the event, Iklima Musa Salihu, Special Assistant to the Director General on Strategic Partnerships, presented the strategy, emphasizing NITDA’s role in driving digital transformation and creating opportunities for women and girls to actively participate in the digital economy.
The NGDIS, developed in alignment with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 5 and 8, seeks to remove barriers to digital inclusion by expanding access to digital skills training, infrastructure, and mentorship opportunities for women and girls.
Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General of NITDA as represented by the SA, in his special remarks reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria’s digital transformation is inclusive and equitable, highlighting NGDIS as a game-changer in achieving gender parity in the digital space.
He noted that the framework prioritizes digital literacy, entrepreneurship, safety, and gender-responsive policies to accelerate women’s participation in Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
The NGDIS is built on five core pillars that will drive women’s access, participation, and leadership in the digital ecosystem. It seeks to expand digital literacy and skills by ensuring at least 40% female participation in all national training initiatives.
Recognizing the role of women in Nigeria’s innovation and entrepreneurship landscape, the strategy emphasizes access to funding, mentorship, and technical assistance for female-led startups, leveraging the Nigeria Startup Act to increase financial and institutional support for women in the tech ecosystem. With 58% of young women globally experiencing online harassment, the NGDIS prioritizes online safety and cybersecurity awareness.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Women Affairs, Honourable Imaan Sulaiman, FSI, underscored the urgent need for action in tackling gender disparities in digital access.
She revealed alarming statistics that demonstrate the stark reality of the digital divide in Nigeria, highlighting that 68% of Nigerian women do not own smartphones, making it difficult for them to access online services and economic opportunities.
She stressed that this divide extends beyond access, as women and children face significant online risks, including cyber harassment, digital gender-based violence, and exclusion from the rapidly growing tech-driven economy.
She called for the swift implementation of the National Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy (NGDIS) 2024-2027, which seeks to remove the structural barriers that prevent women from fully engaging in the digital economy.
She emphasized the need for strong legal frameworks that would accelerate action in promoting digital literacy, providing safe online spaces, and empowering women to thrive in technology-driven industries.
She reaffirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is committed to creating an inclusive digital future where no woman or child is left behind.
She urged all stakeholders to work together to transform digital access and security for women and children, making technology a tool for empowerment rather than exclusion.
As the world embraces the Fourth Industrial Revolution, NITDA in collaboration with stakeholders is taking bold and strategic steps to ensure that women and girls are not only participants but also leaders in the digital transformation journey.
The National Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy is a blueprint for action, providing a clear framework for accelerating digital inclusion, fostering entrepreneurship, and strengthening online safety for Nigerian women and children.
Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) on Thursday unveiled the Nigeria Data Protection Act – General Application and Implementation Directive (NDP Act-GAID), 2025.
The directive is aimed at safeguarding the fundamental rights and freedoms of Nigerians in the context of data privacy and protection.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Dr Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner/CEO of NDPC, said the directive was a significant milestone in Nigeria’s quest to protect citizens’ data.
Olatunji explained that the directive addressed various critical areas, including data protection principles, lawful bases of data processing, and data subjects’ rights.
He added that the directive also emphasized the importance of safeguarding privacy rights in the context of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence.
The NDPC boss noted that the commission had introduced the data subjects’ Standard Notice to Address Grievance (SNAG), empowering Nigerians to demand remedial action from data controllers and processors.
Olatunji said the full implementation of the NDP Act would commence in September 2025, with provisions related to fees starting in January 2026.
He assured that the NDPC would provide guidance notices, carry out capacity-building programs, and collect feedback to inform future reviews and regulatory instruments.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek reports that the NDP Act-GAID, 2025, is a regulatory instrument that gives effect to the noble objectives of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.
The act was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on June 12, 2023, to guarantee the privacy of citizens, their homes, correspondence, telephone conversations, and telegraphic communications.
Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) has unveiled plans to deploy 1,000 base transceiver stations (BTS) across rural communities in Nigeria by 2030.
The initiative, in collaboration with development partners, aims to bridge the digital divide and foster socio-economic growth in underserved areas.
Base transceiver stations are essential components of cellular networks, enabling wireless communication between user devices and network infrastructure.
By expanding this infrastructure, the USPF seeks to enhance telecommunications access, supporting vital sectors such as education, healthcare, and commerce.
The move aligns with global efforts to improve rural connectivity, with innovative solutions such as mounting BTS on wind turbines being explored in some regions to ensure cost-effective and widespread network coverage.
With this large-scale deployment, the USPF is reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to achieving universal ICT access, creating opportunities for millions of people in remote areas to benefit from digital transformation and economic inclusion.
The Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) is a Nigerian government initiative under the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) aimed at bridging the digital divide by expanding telecommunications and ICT services to underserved and unserved areas across the country.
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