NCC's Digital Awareness Programme Wins Top Global Tech Award
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has earned significant global acclaim, with its flagship Digital Awareness Programme (DAP) securing the prestigious 2025 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prize in the crucial "Access to Information and Knowledge" category. This triumph marks a major victory for Nigeria's efforts in bridging the digital divide.
The DAP emerged as the standout project, garnering the highest number of votes among hundreds of international submissions. Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, received the esteemed award during the WSIS Prizes 2025 Winners Ceremony held recently in Geneva, Switzerland.
About the Award-Winning Digital Awareness Programme (DAP)
Launched in 2006, the Digital Awareness Programme (DAP) has been instrumental in fostering digital literacy and internet accessibility across Nigeria, particularly among the nation's youth. Its core objective is to promote the adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) by:
Equipping Schools: Providing secondary schools nationwide with essential ICT tools, including desktop computers, Local Area Networks (LAN), printers, and scanners.
Ensuring Connectivity: Supplying internet connectivity to these schools, typically with a one-year bandwidth subscription, to bolster teaching, learning, and research.
Building Infrastructure: Constructing well-equipped computer laboratories in beneficiary schools, complete with generators, air conditioners, and appropriate branding.
Delivering Digital Literacy: Implementing grassroots initiatives, community training centers, school outreach programs, and localized awareness campaigns in indigenous languages to impart critical digital skills.
Since its inception, the DAP has made a profound impact, benefiting over 300 secondary schools across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones and empowering over 2 million Nigerians with crucial digital skills. The program has also significantly eased online registrations for various examinations, including WASSC, NECO, JAMB, and GCE. The WSIS recognition underscores the DAP's pivotal role in advancing digital access in education and ensuring more Nigerians are integrated into the global digital revolution.
Nigeria's Broader Digital Prowess Recognized
Beyond the DAP's impressive win, four other Nigerian initiatives were lauded as WSIS Champions in their respective categories, highlighting the nation's robust commitment to leveraging ICT for national development:
Women Techsters and the Advanced Digital Empowerment Programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADEPTI) – recognized under the Capacity Building category.
Telecom-Based Research Grant Initiative – honored under Enabling Environment.
Digital Learning Initiative – acknowledged under e-Learning.
This comprehensive global recognition reaffirms Nigeria's position as a leader among developing nations in creating inclusive digital ecosystems and demonstrates significant strides in implementing its National Digital Economy Policy. The NCC continues to play a vital role in achieving Nigeria's ambitious broadband penetration targets.
