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Key stakeholders discussed Nigeria’s position and efforts to embrace digital transformation in alignment with the Global Digital Compact (GDC) Zero Draft objectives. This is geared towards fostering global digital cooperation and enhancing the country’s digital capabilities at a summit on the Global Digital Compact in Abuja.
Participants at the summit, themed “Summit of the Future: Nigerian Civil Society Consultative Forum,” which was held on Aug. 15, 2024, discussed integrating digital advancements into national development strategies, addressing key challenges, and seizing opportunities for innovation.
The United Nations Nigeria organised the event with the Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, the Wider Impact Development Foundation (WIDEF), and the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR).
Philippe Delanghe, a programme specialist at the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Abuja office, delivered the welcome address. At the same time, Bala Yunusa, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria, provided the opening remarks. The gathering provided a platform for comprehensive discussions on digital policies and strategies, marking a significant step in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.
The summit amplified the need to strengthen Nigeria’s digital information ecosystem by enhancing the infrastructure that supports accurate information flow. Participants advocated for robust systems and platforms to ensure citizens access reliable information, foster trust in digital platforms, and empower people to make informed decisions based on verified data.
Another critical objective highlighted at the event was the need to bridge the digital divides across different socio-economic and geographic lines. Ensuring equal access to digital technologies and the internet will create an inclusive society where everyone can participate fully in the digital economy and access crucial information regardless of background.
This objective ensures that marginalised communities are included in the digital transformation. Initiatives like the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, Digital Literacy for All Initiative (DL4ALL), and Nigeria’s commitment to increase its national connectivity backbone with 90,000 km of fibre-optic cables are already addressing the objective’s implementation.
The summit also emphasised the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in global digital governance. The focus was developing transparent, ethical, aligned AI systems with international norms and standards. This involves ensuring the positive contribution of AI tools to global governance structures, particularly in promoting equitable access to technology and preventing misuse.
By advocating for AI that supports inclusive and fair decision-making processes on a global scale, the summit pushed for trust and collaboration in the digital era, ensuring that AI enhances rather than undermines global governance efforts. Nigeria had adopted the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recommendation on AI ethics and awarded grants totalling N200 million to 55 researchers under two thematic programmes, among other initiatives.
Finally, the summit addressed creating a safe and inclusive digital space for all users, particularly protecting vulnerable groups. Measures to prevent online harassment, exploitation, and the spread of harmful content were discussed as vital components of a respectful and secure online environment. By creating such a digital space, all individuals can participate in the digital world without fear of abuse or discrimination, contributing to a more ethical and positive online culture.
Combat against misinformation
Strengthening the digital information ecosystem is crucial for tackling misinformation. Digital platforms that filter false information and promote accurate data will empower citizens to make informed decisions and critically analyse the information they encounter.
While emphasising the guidelines’ significance, Opeyemi Kehinde, the Nigeria Fact-checkers Coalition (NFC)’s national coordinator, said the forum enables contributions from representatives of the people at all levels that could shape the country’s digital future.
“Adopting this guideline will boost our digital economy, encourage information integrity amid mistrust that greet most government activities in Nigeria of recent as well as ensure that individuals share information responsibly on the digital space while holding the governed and the government accountable to the people,” he said.
Improving digital literacy is also crucial, as it helps people distinguish facts from fiction and respond effectively to misinformation. Additionally, leveraging AI for real-time fact-checking enhances the overall impact of information verification efforts. Innovative projects from fact-checking organisations in Nigeria, like DUBAWA, have already promoted media literacy through AI and digital platforms that aid in mitigating the spread of misinformation. Mr Opeyemi said that the guideline will aid efforts to promote the dissemination of responsible information in the digital space while holding the governed and the government accountable to the people.
Addressing gaps in digital infrastructure and literacy can help protect marginalised communities from misinformation, thus bridging digital divides and ensuring equitable access to reliable information. Media literacy programmes educate these communities on effectively using and evaluating information, while localised AI tools address specific regional needs.
