At the recently concluded 2025 Open Government Partnership (OGP) Global Summit held in Spain, Nigeria emerged as a standout performer, earning two prestigious international awards that affirm its growing reputation as a digital governance trailblazer.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with civil society organization Dataphyte, spearheaded Nigeria’s efforts that won the Regional Award for Africa and the Middle East, recognizing the country’s commitment to advancing Open Digital Governance across the region.

Nigeria further made history by clinching the Thematic Award as the overall global winner in the Digital Governance category, out of 160 commitments submitted by 42 participating countries.

These recognitions are not only a testament to NITDA’s unwavering commitment to building an inclusive, citizen-centered digital ecosystem but also to the effectiveness of Nigeria’s collaborative approach between government and civil society.

Through initiatives anchored on openness, innovation, and data-driven policymaking, Nigeria is demonstrating how digital transformation can enhance accountability and public trust in governance.

This achievement follows Nigeria’s remarkable participation and submission of strategic commitments on digital governance demonstrating groundbreaking policies, platforms, and partnerships designed to make governance more participatory and technology-driven. The commitments underscored the position of Nigeria’s strategic framework for digital transformation; anchored on transparency, accessibility, and inclusiveness as championed by NITDA under the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

With these global recognitions, Nigeria has not only positioned itself as a continental leader but also as an influential voice in shaping the future of open and digital governance worldwide. The awards serve as both validation and motivation for continued efforts to deepen citizen participation, promote data openness, and strengthen accountability through innovative technology solutions.

The partnership begins with the sponsorship of 20 members of the Association to the CJID’s week-long Media and Development Conference and AI and Journalism Workshop, from November 25th to 29th, 2024, in Abuja.

The first set of beneficiaries are drawn mainly from institutions and media organisations in the North- Central, including the FCT, North- West and North- East geo-political zones of the country.

The next batch, according to a statement by Dr. Solomon Oyeleye, the general secretary of ACSPN, will feature members from the South- West, South East and South – South geo-political zones of the country and will take place later in 2025.

He expressed gratitude to CJID for the sponsorship.

Apart from the sponsored training, CJID and ACSPN are also looking into research collaborations in critical areas of Big data, elections and good governance in Nigeria, Oyeleye said, expressing delight that the ACSPN is leveraging strongly on the fruits of efforts by the previous leadership of the Association in creating strategic partnerships with critical stakeholders in the media ecosystem in the overall interest of members.

He said:

“Since we came on board in September, we have intensified efforts at building strongly on what our past leaders did and one area we are committed to programmes that cater to the critical needs of our members in the area of communication and media scholarship and professionalism.

“In this regard the current Executive Council, under the dynamic leadership of Professor Rotimi Olatunji as National President is also flagging off a series of Empowerment programmes, starting with the Empowerment Series at Fountain University, Osogbo on November 20,2024. This is at the instance of the South West zone of the ACSPN in collaboration with Dataphyte and the Fountain University, Osogbo.”

Akintunde Babatunde, director of Programmes for CJID described the Abuja conference and training as CJID’s flagship event, bringing together leading professionals from around the globe to explore emerging development issues affecting Africa and the media’s role in addressing these challenges.

This year’s program introduces an exciting new dimension, featuring an AI and Media Summit, CJID’s 10th-anniversary dinner and awards night to celebrate excellence in journalism, and a two-day workshop on artificial intelligence tailored for media and communication lecturers.