By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
Nigeria has called for greater unity and stronger collaboration among African countries to enhance the continent’s influence in global telecommunications and digital policy, as the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) prepares for key international elections.
The call was made at the Seventh Ordinary Session of the ATU Conference of Plenipotentiaries held in Abuja, which brought together policymakers, regulators and industry leaders from across Africa to deliberate on the continent’s digital future.
Representing Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, said Africa’s future competitiveness would depend largely on its ability to harness digital technologies and deepen regional cooperation.
He identified broadband infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, satellite communications and secure digital networks as critical drivers of economic growth, innovation and efficient public service delivery.
The Vice President stressed the need for coordinated action among African countries to expand digital connectivity, strengthen cybersecurity and promote responsible technological innovation.
“For Africa, this presents both an enormous opportunity and a profound responsibility. No single nation, regardless of its size or resources, can fully realise Africa’s digital ambitions in isolation. Our future depends on collaboration,” he said.
Also speaking, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, called for stronger African participation in global digital policy and innovation ecosystems.
Tijani highlighted the launch of the APLAS Network, an initiative building on Nigeria’s N-ATLAS programme to accelerate the development of locally relevant large language models and promote greater representation of African languages in artificial intelligence technologies.
He said Africa must continue to invest in home-grown innovation and ensure that emerging technologies reflect the continent’s cultures, realities and development priorities.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, described the conference as a critical platform for building consensus on issues central to Africa’s telecommunications future and its representation in global institutions.
Maida said Africa’s ability to advance its interests internationally would be strengthened by a united and coordinated approach, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to regional cooperation and initiatives aimed at amplifying the continent’s voice in global telecommunications policy discussions.
“This is a very important moment for us in Nigeria, especially because of the elections coming up in which we will be contesting for some positions. As I mentioned during the opening ceremony, Africa’s unity in taking decisions is important as we move forward and secure our place in the telecommunications sector,” he said.
He added that closer collaboration among African administrations would support digital inclusion, accelerate infrastructure development and position the continent to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the digital economy.
The Secretary-General of the African Telecommunications Union, John Omo, commended Nigeria and its partners for successfully hosting the conference, stressing the importance of sustaining a common African voice in advancing the continent’s telecommunications and digital development objectives.
Similarly, the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Doreen Bogdan-Martin, urged stronger African participation in shaping the global digital agenda.
She encouraged the continent to move beyond being a consumer of technology to becoming a creator, innovator and contributor to future technologies and global standards.
The conference also provided a platform for African candidates and Member States seeking election or re-election to positions within the ITU ahead of the 2026 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference.
Participants agreed that a united African position remained essential to advancing the continent’s telecommunications, innovation and digital development aspirations.
Nigeria’s hosting of the conference further underscored its commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, driving digital transformation and promoting a stronger African presence in global telecommunications governance.