By George Ozalla
L-R: Engr. Abraham Oshadami, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Ms. Nonkqubela Jordan-Dyani, Director-General, Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, South Africa; Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, NCC; Mr. John Omo, Secretary-General, African Telecommunications Union (ATU); and Engr. Nadungu Gagare, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, during the opening ceremony of the 7th Ordinary Session of the ATU Conference Preparatory Committee held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, on July 20, 2026.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called for stronger collaboration among African countries to enhance the continent’s influence in shaping global telecommunications and digital economy policies ahead of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26) scheduled to hold later this year in Doha, Qatar.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, made the call on Monday while declaring open the 7th Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference Preparatory Committee in Abuja.
Addressing delegates drawn from across the African continent, Maida described the meeting as a strategic platform for developing Africa’s common position ahead of the global conference, stressing that the continent’s effectiveness in international telecommunications policy discussions would depend largely on the quality of its preparation, the coherence of its positions and the consistency with which member states advance shared priorities.
According to him, the Conference Preparatory Committee occupies a critical place in strengthening Africa’s participation in global telecommunications governance by providing a platform for member states to harmonise their perspectives and develop technically sound common positions before major international meetings.
He explained that the committee would review the activities of the African Telecommunications Union between 2023 and 2026 and prepare recommendations, decisions and resolutions for consideration at the forthcoming ATU Conference of Plenipotentiaries (CPL-26). The session will also examine Africa’s preparations for the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference, where major decisions that will shape the future of the global telecommunications industry are expected to be taken.
Maida emphasised the need for sustained and institutionalised regulatory cooperation among African countries, noting that emerging issues such as spectrum harmonisation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital trust, data protection and universal access require continuous collaboration beyond periodic conferences.
He also called for stronger African participation in international telecommunications processes, including study groups, technical committees and regional preparatory meetings where global standards and regulatory frameworks are developed.
According to him, Africa’s influence in international decision-making must be backed by technical competence, credible evidence and sustained engagement to ensure the continent’s interests are adequately represented.
The NCC boss further observed that Africa’s expanding digital economy, increasing connectivity and youthful population have positioned the continent as a critical stakeholder in global digital transformation, making it imperative for African perspectives to feature prominently in international policy discussions.
Maida commended the African Telecommunications Union Secretariat, led by its Secretary-General, Mr. John Omo, for promoting greater coordination among African countries and strengthening the continent’s collective voice within the ITU and other international telecommunications platforms.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting the African Telecommunications Union through the sharing of regulatory experience, peer learning and active participation in regional and global telecommunications initiatives.
Expressing optimism about the outcome of the meeting, Maida said he expected the session to produce stronger African alignment ahead of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference, establish more effective mechanisms for collaboration between conferences and deepen the continent’s technical participation in global telecommunications policy development.
According to a press statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs Department of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, the meeting is expected to strengthen Africa’s collective preparations and ensure the continent speaks with one voice on key issues that will shape the future of global telecommunications and the digital economy.
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