ABUJA – Nigeria on Monday assumed the chairmanship of the 7th Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) Conference Preparatory Committee (CPC), leading Africa’s drive for a common position ahead of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26) in Doha later this year.
The chairmanship followed the election of the Director of Internal Audit at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mrs Stella Erabor, as Chairperson of the Preparatory Committee, placing Nigeria at the centre of efforts to coordinate Africa’s telecommunications and digital policy priorities.
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Engr Faruk Yabo, said the committee’s work would guide decisions at the Conference, adding that rapid advances in technology and digital innovation had made collaboration among African countries more important than ever.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening the African Telecommunications Union and promoting regional digital integration.
“The recommendations of this committee will further strengthen the African Telecommunications Union and enhance its capacity to support inclusive and sustainable digital development across Africa,” he said.
Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida, described the Abuja meeting as more than a procedural exercise, saying Africa’s influence in global telecommunications policy would depend on the quality of its preparations.
He said the meeting was expected to deepen technical participation by African experts and establish practical mechanisms for collaboration among regulators beyond the conference.
“Africa must prepare together, work together between meetings and arrive at global forums with positions that are both coherent and technically compelling. Our objective is not simply to adopt global standards but to help shape standards that reflect African realities from the outset,” Maida said.
He added that Nigeria would continue to provide technical expertise, regulatory experience and peer learning to support Africa’s digital development and stronger participation in global policy discussions.
Speaking after her election, Erabor said the committee was responsible for preparing policy documents, resolutions and recommendations that would be presented at the ATU conference later this week.