Nigeria has called for greater unity among African countries to strengthen the continent’s influence in global telecommunications and digital policy ahead of key international elections and negotiations.
The call was made at the Seventh Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union, ATU Conference of Plenipotentiaries in Abuja, where policymakers, regulators and industry leaders gathered to harmonise Africa’s position ahead of major international telecommunications engagements.
Speaking on behalf of Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, said Africa’s competitiveness would depend on its ability to leverage digital technologies and deepen regional cooperation.
He noted that broadband infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, satellite communications and secure digital networks have become critical drivers of economic growth, innovation and public service delivery.
According to him, African countries must work together to expand connectivity, strengthen cybersecurity and promote responsible 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, stressed the importance of coordinated African participation in global digital policy and innovation.
He highlighted the launch of the APLAS Network, which builds on Nigeria’s N-ATLAS initiative to accelerate the development of locally relevant large language models and increase the representation of African languages in artificial intelligence technologies.
Tijani said Africa must continue investing in indigenous innovation to ensure emerging technologies reflect the continent’s realities, cultures and development priorities.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, described the conference as an important platform for building consensus on issues affecting Africa’s telecommunications future and representation in global institutions.
He said Africa would be better positioned to advance its interests internationally through a united and coordinated approach, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening regional cooperation.
“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,” Maida said.
He added that closer collaboration among African administrations would promote digital inclusion, accelerate infrastructure development and position the continent to benefit from emerging opportunities in the digital economy.
In his remarks, Secretary-General of the African Telecommunications Union, John Omo, commended Nigeria for successfully hosting the conference and emphasised the need to sustain a common African voice in advancing the continent’s telecommunications and digital development agenda.
Similarly, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Doreen Bogdan-Martin, called for stronger African participation in shaping the global digital agenda, urging the continent to become a creator, innovator and contributor to future technologies and international 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 would be critical to advancing the continent’s telecommunications, innovation and digital development priorities, while Nigeria said hosting the conference reflects its commitment to regional cooperation and a stronger African presence in global telecommunications governance.