Nigeria, through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has won the 2025 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prize for its flagship initiative, the Digital Awareness Programme (DAP), under Category C3: Access to Information and Knowledge.
The DAP emerged as the top entry among hundreds of global submissions in its category, receiving the highest number of votes in the WSIS Prizes 2025 competition.
The programme, designed to equip secondary schools across Nigeria with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools and internet connectivity, aims to enhance teaching, learning, and research. Since its inception in 2006, the DAP has benefitted over 300 secondary schools across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The award was presented to the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, during the WSIS Prizes Winners 2025 Ceremony, held on Monday in Geneva, Switzerland.
In his remarks, Dr. Maida expressed appreciation to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the WSIS community for recognizing Nigeria’s efforts in digital inclusion.
“This recognition is more than a celebration of past efforts—it is an encouragement to press forward. It affirms that investing in digital inclusion is investing in national development, and that Nigeria’s work is being seen and valued on the global stage,” he said.
Four other Nigerian projects also received recognition as WSIS Champions in their respective categories:
- Women Techsters and Advanced Digital Empowerment Programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADEPTI) – Capacity Building
- Telecom-Based Research Grant Initiative – Enabling Environment
- Digital Learning Initiative – e-Learning
Although these projects did not secure the highest votes in their categories, they were acknowledged for their significant merit and impact.
The WSIS Prizes aim to recognise and showcase impactful projects that leverage ICTs to advance sustainable development. The initiative demonstrates how technology can be harnessed to address global challenges and support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The WSIS Forum, hosted annually by the ITU, serves as a global multi-stakeholder platform, bringing together representatives from governments, the private sector, civil society, academia, and international organisations. The Forum promotes collaboration and implementation of the WSIS Action Lines, which are aligned with the UN SDGs.
