The event, a collaborative effort between the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) and the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), aims to shape the future of telecom and critical national infrastructure through meaningful dialogue and strategic partnerships.

Scheduled for August 7, 2025 in Lagos, the event, which is expected to host Dr. Bosun Tijani, the minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, will also bring stakeholders from Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Peace Corps Nigeria, to discuss the security of infrastructure, stakeholders’ roles, and the practical implementation of the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Presidential Order.

Headlining the event, with its theme as “Telecoms Industry Sustainability and the CNII Act – Way Forward”, IHS Towers will throw light on the state of infrastructure in the country, while the Panel Session will discuss the “Role expectations of stakeholders in the implementation of the CNII Act”

Keynote speeches will come from the NCC EVC, Dr. Aminu Maida and the President of the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON).

The Nigerian Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Order, 2024, aims to safeguard critical infrastructure like telecommunications networks, financial systems, and power grids by designating them as CNII and outlining measures for their protection.

This order, signed in June 2024, is an extension of the Cybercrimes Act of 2015 and seeks to reduce disruptions to these vital systems.

Some of the questions stakeholders will give answers to at the Panel Discussion include:

• How do we ensure that this Order is implemented to the letter?
• What are the roles of each stakeholder in the industry – Federal, States, Operators, Consumers, and other actors? 
• Are telecom companies keying into the CNII provisions, and how?
• Are there areas worth looking into once more, or is the Order perfect as it is?
• What is the role of regulators in ensuring public compliance to the Bill?
• How do we ensure security?
• What is the place of collaboration?
• Publicity: how much of the CNII provisions are the public aware of?
• How can we sustain the growth and development of telecommunications in Nigeria?

According to Mr. Chidiebere Nwankwo, the general secretary of NITRA, this industry collaborative event will afford stakeholders in the public and private sectors the opportunity to sit back together and review how well the CNII Order has thus far been implemented, and to re-strategise, if need be, on the way forward.

“This event is key because it will bring Stakeholders to the CNII plan to a roundtable to re-evaluate the decision, make amends and continue the journey. This has to be a periodic gathering to make the goals of this order achievable,” he said.

ALTON is the official private sector industry body for all providers of telecommunications and subsidiary services in Nigeria.

The Chairman of ALTON, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo and the Chairman of NITRA, Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi will be on hand to welcome industry stakeholders.

As the newly appointed Ministers settle to their jobs, journalists in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry, under the aegis of the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA), has felicitated with the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani over his appointment.

In a letter to the Minister, the Chairman of the Association, Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi noted that the news of his appointment was a cheery one knowing his antecedent to deliver viable results in past endeavours.

“We have followed your steps in the ICT industry and are assured that without doubt, this is another position that you will make a great deal of impact in.

You are not new in creative, developmental and managerial affairs, but have been an active participant in decision-making and growth plans for the nation, hence our repose of trust in what you can do as the Minister of this expanded Ministry,” he enthused.

In the Association’s letter to the Minister, Mr. Onwuegbuchi further assured the Minister that NITRA is willing to work with the Ministry to ensure the achievement of set goals.

He said NITRA is on standby for any collaboration that will guarantee the success of Dr. Tijani’s endeavours as the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

“We hope to work together to develop the industry and make the Ministry a reference point in the minds of Nigerians both at home and abroad,” he concluded.

The expectation is that the Minister will maintain the upward trajectory of ICTs contributions to the GDP.   His focus should be on leveraging ICT to transform Nigeria into a full digital economy.

Nigeria’s ICT sector contributed a significant 17.47% to Nigeria’s GDP (Real Gross Domestic Product) in the first quarter of 2023. This is according to the latest statistics released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

According to the NBS report, this amounts to about N3.1 trillion of the total N17.75 trillion of the country’s real GDP in the quarter. This is a notable increase in the ICT sector’s GDP contribution, surpassing the figures for the first quarter of 2022 which stood at N2.86 trillion.

The sector contributed 13.23% to the total nominal GDP in Q1 2023, surpassing the rates recorded in both the same quarter of the previous year (10.55%) and the preceding quarter (10.42%). This nominal growth represents a substantial increase of 41.84% during the quarter, marking a 21.30% point rise compared to the corresponding period of 2022.

The Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) is the umbrella body for ICT reporters and editors. Its membership is drawn across Print, Broadcast and Online media organisations, and spreads across the country. With its Quarterly and Annual events, which include ‘Breakfast With CEOs’; ‘NITRA Innovative Forum’; ‘NITRA Technology Forum’, among others, the Association has been able to drive conversations on the development of the ICT subsectors and the industry as a whole.

Journalists in the Information and Communications Technology sector, under the aegis of the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA), comprising reporters and editors in broadcast, print and online media has called for the nomination and appointment of a competent Minister of Communications and Digital Economy in the new administration of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

In a Press Release that aggregated the views of members and position of the Association, the group, which had in the past consistently engaged stakeholders towards the growth and development of the ICT industry, noted that it will spell retrogression if a Minster, who is not in tune with growth indices in the industry is appointed to drive the most important sector of the economy.

According to Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, the Chairman of NITRA, it is imperative to put a round peg in a round hole when appointing the next Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.

He said: “As an Association, we implore the President to look at the antecedents of proposed individuals and bring forth someone who has played well in the ICT industry. Someone who knows the challenges, gaps and needs of the industry, and is ready t tackle them head-on to achieve results.”

He noted that in the past few years the ICT industry has experienced much growth, but still has a long way to go to be globally competitive, especially in future techs.

In his views, Mr. Emma Okonji, Pioneer Chairman of NITRA and ICT Editor at ThisDay Newspaper, pointed to attributes expected of the next Minister of Communications and Digital Economy. “We need a Minister with technology discipline who is digitally savvy and ready to collaborate with industry stakeholders in driving technology development in Nigeria.

Such Minister should come from among the various IT bodies and organisations that are registered in Nigeria, and not a politician.

The Minister should be ready and willing to work with ICT Media in enhancing technology development in Nigeria.”

He further noted that the Minister needs to focus more on Tech Startup development in Nigeria and provide the necessary funding, support and mentorship for growth.

“It will help the country to produce several unicorns that will drive technology development in the country. The Minister should focus on SME growth using technology as the driving force. Again the Minister should look into the feud between Telcos and the Banks in order to build cordial working relationship among them that will promote growth and development in the ICT sector.”

Emma Okonji

Echoing same thoughts, Mr. Chima Akwaja, Group Technology Editor, LEADERSHIP Group Limited, said the new Minister must be a technocrat who should be well versed in Telecom industry issues, and a core professional.

Speaking further on the task ahead, Akwaja noted: “He should give the agencies in the Ministry free hands to operate. He should not encroach on their functions; focus on creation of tech hubs in the 6 geopolitical zones and encourage states to have own hubs to train and nurture tech talents; partner with higher institutions on new digital skills training and modules; strategically work with ICT bodies/Associations to create level playing field and attract FDIs; and ensure there is harmony and synergy among the Agencies and other inter-agency regulators.

He also said the minister should work towards creating Technology Banks that would provide seed capital to tech entrepreneurs/startups in the country, and work to promote Local Content in technology usage.

Speaking on the task of a wider stakeholder engagement to be midwifed by the incoming minister, Mr. Clifford Agugoesi, Founder/Editor-in-Chief of CyberEra, noted: “The occupier of the seat must be highly miscible and command respect of stakeholders of the Ministry, among others.  Relationship is everything. The FMoCDE should be able to relate well with sister Ministries – Education, Budget & National Planning, Science & Technology, Trade & Investments, Information & Culture, among others.

The Minister should also be able to relate well with other arms of government, the Legislature and the Judiciary, and with Industry associations such as ALTON, ATCON, ISPON, NCS, CIMON.  The Minister must carry along to ensure policies and strategies are reflective of a wide industry input.

He /She must demonstrate capacity to work collaboratively with these, especially the Press, to strengthen his/her oversight functions and engender accountability.  The local ICT media need to be empowered through capacity building programmes, projects and activities and supported through advertisements and institutional support schemes.

He further tasked the new minister on continuity of laudable programmes such as the NDEPS 2020-2030 and Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025.

“The New FMoCDE needs to be pragmatic. We hold this fact to be sacred that only a pragmatic Minister will enhance the performance of the ICT Ministry and industry and maintain the upward trajectory of ICTs contributions to the GDP.   His or her focus should be on “Leveraging ICT to transform Nigeria into a full digital economy.”

Nigeria’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector contributed a significant 17.47% to Nigeria’s GDP (Real Gross Domestic Product) in the first quarter of 2023. This is according to the latest statistics released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

According to the NBS report, this amounts to about N3.1 trillion of the total N17.75 trillion of the country’s real GDP in the quarter. This is a notable increase in the ICT sector’s GDP contribution, surpassing the figures for the first quarter of 2022 which stood at N2.86 trillion.

The NNBP is to achieve 70% broadband penetration by 2025. The country still has less than 50% penetration. This means there is huge investment potential for investors. Nigeria’s telecom sector needs more investment in the area of infrastructure deployment, and this is one area the minister should focus on, noted the General Secretary of NITRA and Editor at eBusiness Life Communication Limited, Mr. Chidiebere Nwankwo. The ICT sector contributed N3.1 trillion to Nigeria’s GDP in Q1 2023 representing 17.47%.

So far, there has been reduction of the clusters of access gaps to 97 from 207 in 2013.

While describing the reduction in access gap so far as a landmark, NCC boss, Prof. Umar Danbatta said the Commission will not rest on its oars as it thrives to ensure that the remaining 27 million Nigerians, who currently lack access to telecoms services, are provided with services.

The sector contributed 13.23% to the total nominal GDP in Q1 2023, surpassing the rates recorded in both the same quarter of the previous year (10.55%) and the preceding quarter (10.42%).

This nominal growth, NITRA emphasised, represents a substantial increase of 41.84% during the quarter, marking a 21.30% point rise compared to the corresponding period of 2022.

The Fellowship investiture to the duo of Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Reuben Muoka, and Head, Media Relations in the Public Affairs Department, Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, has been described as a call to duty, as it places them on the pedestal of being reference points to anyone ascribing to PR professionalism in Nigeria.

Speaking to the Fellowship award, the National Chairman of NITRA, Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi noted that the awards are very befitting as Mr. Muoka and Dr. Ibietan have shown immense professionalism in their PR roles both in their present capacities at the NCC and prior.

The NITRA Chairman, Mr. Onwuegbuchi however challenged them to remain an example of what PR professionals should be, both in conducts and duties.

He also advised that they, in their various capacities, should endeavor to mentor and train younger Nigerians in the act and art of public advocacy and situation management in order to keep their legacy alive in decades to come.

While acknowledging the teething display of PR qualities by Mr. Muoka during his years as a journalist with Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Onwuegbuchi noted that he was instrumental to the training of those that served under him and mostly stood as a liaison between his media house and the public.

Mr. Muoka, who is the Director of Public Affairs Department at the NCC, holds a M.Sc. and a Post Graduate Diploma in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos with M.Sc specialisation in Public Relations and Advertising.

He had earlier obtained a Bachelors degree in Performing Arts from the University of Ilorin. He is also an Associate of the Registered Practitioners of Advertising, (arpa).

Mr. Muoka was formerly the Communications Editor in Vanguard Newspapers during which he also chaired the League of Communications Correspondents. He also worked for MTS First Wireless, Nigeria’s first mobile network operator, where he rose to the position of Deputy General Manager. In 1999, Muoka received a fellowship involving a Pan-African training and tour, leading to the award of a Diploma in Journalism, at the instance of the Egyptian Ministry of Information, and the African Journalists Union (AJU), in Cairo, Egypt.

Dr. Ibietan earned a PhD in Communication from North-West University in South Africa. He had earlier obtained MA in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan, a BA in Communication Arts from the University of Uyo, and a Journalism Diploma from the Moscow-based International Institute of Journalism, Abuja Campus.

A noted advocate of freedom and democracy, he was Freedom House Nigeria Project’s Regional Media Researcher in the Niger Delta until his appointment in 2006 as Special Media Assistant to the Federal Minister of Information and Communication, during which he popularised the use of new media for public communication in Nigeria.

He is a member of the African Council for Communication Education (ACCE) and the International Institute of Communications (IIC).

Ibietan joined the NCC in 2008 and was deployed to Legislative and Government Relations (LGR) Department where he was frontline liaison staff of the Commission with the National Assembly.

He also served as Manager, Media and Public Relations and later, Senior Manager, Media Management until January 2017 when he was redeployed to the Public Affairs Department (PAD’s) emergent Online Media and Special Publication Unit, and subsequently designated as the head of the Unit. He also worked at the Consumer Information and Education Unit of the Commission’s Consumer Affairs Bureau (CAB) until his redeployment to PAD.

He became an Assistant Director in January 2021 and was appointed Head Media Relations in July 2022.

Their Fellowship status at the NIPR is seen as a boost to their career.

Established in 1963, The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), is the professional body of qualified Public Relations Practitioners.

The Law mandates NIPR to regulate the practice and direct the development of Public Relations as a profession in Nigeria.

The Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) is an umbrella body formed in 2013 to harness the thoughts of ICT journalists in Nigeria, and contribute to the development of the industry and the economy at large.

It also has a primary objective of catering to the welfare of its members to ensure conducive and progressive ICT media industry. The association, which has its registered office in Lagos, has a Chapter in Abuja.

The event, which is scheduled to hold at the Lagos Oriental Hotels on September 29, 2022, has its theme as “Creating A Digital Ecosystem In Nigeria: The Hurdles, The Gains”.

Prof. Pantami will lead industry regulators and decision makers in the various ICT subsectors, both in the private and public sectors, to discuss issues that will engender growth in the industry, and further position it as the nation’s economy driver.

Speaking on the event, Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, the Chairman, NITRA, noted: “The theme of this year conference is aimed at the various efforts by governments and private sector towards a digitalized Nigeria”.

The event targets to bring stakeholders in the ICT industry, both from the public and private sectors, to discuss and find ways of accelerating growth in the industry as a means of achieving laudable federal government set targets and policies, including those recorded in policy documents by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, the NCC and NITDA.

These documents include NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2021-2024); The Nigerian Cybercrime Act of 2015; the National Policy for the Promotion of Indigenous Content (NPPIC); The National Telecommunications Policy; the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025; National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), the CBN Monetary Policy, among others.

Under its “NITRA ICT Growth Conference”, which seeks to bring a multi-sectorial development agenda, NITRA is organising a multi-panel interactive conference that will look at the themes that include:

• “The Role of Emerging Technologies in Bridging Nigeria’s Digital Divide”
• “Exploring Funding Options For Driving Digital Economy”
• “Digital Currencies And the Challenge of Regulation in Emerging Markets”
• “Infrastructure As A Ladder To Building A Digital Economy”

Mr. Onwuegbuchi, while commending stakeholders for their support of the event and passion for the growth of technology in Nigeria, noted that the growth in the ICT industry will impact all other sectors of the economy positively.

“Specifically, the Forum will offer stakeholders the opportunities of reassessing and reinvigorating some policies to make maximum impact in the growth of ICT in Nigeria. This is a growth conference, and stakeholders will be allowed to speak out on what the growth indices should be.” he said.

Expected to be at the event, which will be led by Prof. Pantami, include the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof Umar Garba Danbatta; the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Inuwa Kashifu Abdullahi, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele; CEOs of other government and private ICT companies, the Media including the full membership of NITRA and other stakeholders in the industry, including COOs, CIOs, CFOs, CROs and CCOs.

According to Mr. Chidiebere Nwankwo, the National Secretary of NITRA, industry associations will also make their inputs. They include NCS, CPN, ALTON, ATCON, ISPON, NiRA and ITAN.

As part of the event, special recognition awards will be given to some industry players that have played strong roles in the growth of ICT in Nigeria, and still contributing to the development of the industry.

The Awards will also be for those companies and individuals, who through their innovativeness have revolutionized the ecosystem they play in.