By 
At the 35th annual conference of the African Public Relations Association (APRA) in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria showcased its extensive digital social investments through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
RELATED: Ibietan highlights digital inclusion as key to effective digital PR at APRA conference
The event, held from May 13th to 17th, 2024, featured a presentation by Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, Head of Media Management Relations at the NCC, who was also elected as APRA’s Secretary-General during the conference.
In his presentation, titled “Digital Inclusion as Arbiter of Accessible PR: A Case of the Nigerian Communications Commission,” Dr. Ibietan detailed 36 initiatives spearheaded by the NCC. These initiatives, which go beyond the Commission’s regulatory mandate, aim to expand infrastructure, support SMEs, empower educational institutions, foster innovation, and enhance digital skills among Nigerian youths.
Key initiatives highlighted included the Advanced Digital Awareness Programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADAPTI), the Campus Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programme (CIEP), the e-PAD project for 232 institutions, the Digital Appreciation Project (DAP) for 247 secondary schools, and the Digital Literacy Training for Teachers (DLT). Additionally, programs like the Digital Integration Programme (DIP) for MSMEs, the E-Accessibility programme for persons with disabilities, the Nigerian Girls Can Code Competition, and the Build A-Thon were also showcased.
Other notable projects include the Tertiary Institutions Digital Centre (TIDC) for 250 institutions, 2,291 Digital Nigeria Centers (DNC) providing online/offline educational resources, the Local Application and Content Deployment programme, and 72 Rural Broadband Initiative projects.
Dr. Ibietan emphasized that these interventions, facilitated by the NCC’s Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), have significantly enhanced digital literacy, reduced the digital divide, and increased participation in political, economic, and social processes. This, he noted, has also enabled accessible digital public relations in Nigeria.
The APRA Conference, centered on the theme “One Africa, One Voice: Bridging Africa’s Communication Divide,” featured over 20 papers. However, Dr. Ibietan’s presentation stood out as the sole showcase of digital infrastructure investments by an African country. He underscored that digital inclusion not only involves access to digital technologies but also the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to effectively utilize them.
Dr. Ibietan highlighted the essential role of digital inclusion in promoting social and economic opportunities, enhancing civic engagement, supporting education, fostering digital literacy, encouraging innovation, and bridging the digital divide. He noted that Nigeria’s investment in broadband infrastructure was crucial in mitigating the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, as it enabled the migration of social and economic activities to digital platforms.
He concluded by recommending continuous and seamless communication among stakeholders to ensure the effective management and maximization of benefits from social investment and infrastructure projects.
