Nigeria’s NCC Wins 2025 WSIS Award for Digital Awareness Programme Promoting ICT Access in Education
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has achieved global recognition by winning the 2025 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prize under Category C3: Access to Information and Knowledge. The award celebrates Nigeria’s Digital Awareness Programme (DAP), a key initiative aimed at equipping secondary schools nationwide with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools and internet connectivity.
What Is the Digital Awareness Programme (DAP)?
Launched in 2006, the DAP has so far benefited over 300 schools across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The initiative provides:
- ICT resources for teaching and learning
- Internet connectivity for research
- Support for digital inclusion in education
The DAP received the highest number of votes in its category at the WSIS Prizes 2025 competition, which featured hundreds of projects from around the world.
NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman Receives Global Honour
Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, accepted the award at the WSIS Prizes Winners 2025 Ceremony. In his remarks, Dr. Maida emphasised the importance of recognition: “This recognition is more than a celebration of past efforts—it is an encouragement to press forward. 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.”
The award was presented by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and WSIS, underscoring Nigeria’s leadership in promoting inclusive digital access.
Other Nigerian Projects Recognised at WSIS Prizes 2025
In addition to the DAP, four other Nigerian projects were acknowledged in the Champions Category at the WSIS Prizes Ceremony for their significant impact and merit:
- Women Techsters – Capacity Building
- Advanced Digital Empowerment Programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADEPTI) – Capacity Building
- Telecom-Based Research Grant Initiative – Enabling Environment
- Digital Learning Initiative – e-Learning
Although these projects did not receive the top votes, their contributions to digital development in Nigeria were officially celebrated.
Why This Matters for Nigeria
The NCC’s win highlights:
- Nigeria’s commitment to digital education
- Global validation of Nigeria’s ICT initiatives
- The importance of public-private partnerships in promoting digital inclusion
With ICT becoming critical for educational and economic development, Nigeria’s leadership in this space could serve as a model for other developing countries.
