Nigeria has earned global recognition in digital innovation after the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) won the 2025 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prize for its impactful Nigeria Digital Awareness Programme (DAP) . The award was presented under Category C3 – Access to Information and Knowledge, highlighting Nigeria’s commitment to bridging the digital divide through education.
The DAP emerged as a top-voted project among hundreds of global submissions in the WSIS Prizes competition 2025. Since its launch in 2006, the initiative has equipped over 300 secondary schools across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones with essential ICT infrastructure and internet access. This support empowers students and educators by enhancing teaching, learning, and research capabilities through digital tools.
Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, received the prestigious award during the WSIS Prizes Winners Ceremony held Monday in Geneva, Switzerland. In his acceptance speech, he expressed gratitude to the International Telecommunication Union and WSIS for acknowledging Nigeria’s efforts in expanding inclusive digital access.
“This recognition is more than a celebration of past efforts; it is an encouragement to press forward,” Dr. Maida said. “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.”
In addition to the winning DAP initiative, four other Nigerian projects were recognized in the Champions Category at the event. These include the Women Techsters initiative, the Advanced Digital Empowerment Programme for Tertiary Institutions, the Telecom-Based Research Grant Initiative, and the Digital Learning Initiative under e-Learning. Though not among the top-voted entries, these initiatives were celebrated for their significant contributions to capacity building, enabling environments, and digital education.
The WSIS Prizes competition annually honors innovative projects that harness information and communication technologies (ICTs) to drive sustainable development. It serves as a platform to showcase how technology can address pressing global challenges and support the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As part of the broader WSIS agenda—a UN-led initiative aimed at creating a people-centred, inclusive, and development-oriented information society—the summit brings together government leaders, private sector representatives, civil society, academia, and international organizations. This multi-stakeholder forum plays a critical role in advancing the WSIS Action Lines, which align closely with the SDGs.
Nigeria’s continued success in this arena underscores the growing impact of the Nigeria Digital Awareness Programme and its role in shaping a digitally empowered future for the country.
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