The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has called on African governments to adopt a unified and technically coordinated position ahead of the 2026 International Telecommunications Union, ITU, Conference, saying stronger regional collaboration is key for the continent to influence global telecoms and digital economy policies.
The charge was given on Monday in Abuja by the NCC’s Executive Vice-Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, while declaring open the African Telecommunications Union, ATU, Conference Preparatory Committee meeting.
—“Africa Must Prepare Together”—
Maida said the two-day meeting is expected to deliver greater continental alignment ahead of ITU 2026, establish practical collaboration mechanisms between conferences, and sustain Africa’s technical participation in ITU processes.
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“Africa must prepare together, work together and arrive at global forums with solutions that are both coherent and technically compliant,” he stated.
He noted that preparation was not just procedural but critical to ensuring coherence of ideas and positions.
The committee will review ATU’s activities between 2023 and 2026 and prepare agenda items, resolutions, decisions and recommendations for the *18th Conference of the Union.
—Priority Areas For Africa—
Maida listed key areas requiring stronger collaboration, including:
– Spectrum management
– Artificial Intelligence governance
– Data protection
– Universal access
– Cybersecurity
– Digital infrastructure development
“No administration can address these challenges effectively in isolation. Our regulatory cooperation must therefore become more continuous, more technical and more institutionalized,” he said.
“Our objective in Africa is not to resist global standards. It is to help shape standards that are globally sound and sufficiently informed by African realities,” Maida added.
He stressed that Africa’s influence at international fora would depend less on delegation size and more on “the quality of its preparation, the coherence of its positions and consistency in advancing them.”
While the ATU conference will determine the direction of the continental body, Maida said the ITU conference will shape global telecommunications leadership and priorities.
—FG, ATU Laud Nigeria’s Hosting—
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Nadungu Gagare, described the meeting as critical to advancing Africa’s digital transformation agenda.
“As we navigate an era of rapid technological advancement and digital innovation, the importance of collaboration among member states has never been greater,” Gagare said.
He expressed optimism that the committee’s recommendations would strengthen the union’s capacity to promote inclusive and sustainable digital development across the continent.
ATU Secretary-General, John Omo, said the Conference Preparatory Committee plays a vital role in processing documents and proposals to enable member states to adopt common positions.
He disclosed that ATU membership has grown from 49 to 52 countries, associate membership from 50 to 56, with 18 African academic institutions now participating.
Omo noted progress recorded in broadband development, satellite communications, spectrum coordination, internet governance, rural broadband, standardisation and digital infrastructure resilience.
However, he expressed concern over irregular financial contributions by some member states, stressing that predictable funding remains essential for implementing the union’s programmes.
He added that the forthcoming conference will elect members of the Administrative Council and a Secretary-General for the 2027–2031 tenure.
Omo commended Nigeria for hosting the preparatory meeting, which drew representatives from African countries, academia, sector members and development partners to discuss the continent’s telecommunications and digital future.
