Communique of Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum series 2018 - Nigeria IPv6 Roundtable - ITREALMS Online

Communique  of the Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum Series 2018 9th Edition Themes: Internet Governance: Sustaining Development & IPv6, Broadening the Horizon A one-day conference and exhibition by DigitalSENSE Africa (DSA) Media in conjunction with Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), & Proudly supported by Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN), Internet Society, Nigeria Chapter, Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), IPv6 Council, Nigeria, Ntel Date: Wednesday 6th June 2018                                                                Time:      9:00am VENUE: Co-operative Hall, Oshodi-Isolo LGA Secretariat, Oshodi-Lagos

Rapporteurs: Elonna Aguh (Lead)                       Albert Aguh (Support) Compére: Chris Uruakpa

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The 2018 edition of the Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum series on Internet Governance for Development (NDSF IG4D) (in its 9^th year) is an annual rallying point for internet stakeholders in the country to discuss and proffer solutions to improve challenges around internet governance, security and socio-economic impact, with special focus on students, youth and women.

Erudite minds gathered and spoke exhaustively on issues and challenges bothering on the internet; IPv6 and GDPR. One of the recurring decimals in recent times has been the migration of the internet protocol version 4 to version 6 (IPv4 to IPV6). This challenge suggests that the IPv4 is almost exhausted and the need to upgrade to higher version is pertinent. It is estimated that in the very near future appliances on IPv4 will be so obsolete they cannot function anywhere in the world

Developed countries have already migrated to this version while developing countries such as Nigeria is still lagging behind. However DSA through her DSA Media Ltd and DSForum have been at the vanguard, championing the course of advocacy urging Nigerians to migrate to IPV6. Today, there is an IPV6 Council in Nigeria and gladly, the Lead Strategist and Group Executive Editor of DSA media Ltd, Mr. Remmy Nweke is the pioneer chairman of this committee with Mr. Muhammed Rudman as the Council Chairman.

The benefits of the ICT cannot be quantified and migration to IPv6 has provided for enormous benefits; affecting all aspects of life ranging from Domestic to Economics, Government, Corporate and even Spiritual life etc.  However, the forum identified a myriad of challenges confronting the Internet, IPv6 and GSM service providers and seeks government intervention to curb this trend. These challenges have contributed immensely to the cost of internet services and poor quality services experienced in the country.

One of the major challenges for internet users is cyber security.  With the recent General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in place in EU nations, better cyber security is guaranteed for EU nations and countries doing business with the EU nations. It is hoped that locally here in Nigeria, cyber laws will come in place to ensure cyber security for internet users here in Nigeria.

Government was therefore enjoined to play its part in the growth and development of ICT in Nigeria by ensuring enabling environment, while on the other hand students, youth and women and indeed all good users of the internet were also advised to make judicious use of the internet bearing in mind the GDPR existing in the EU nations.

COMMUNIQUE

The one-day Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum Series, 9^th edition on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D) was held on Wednesday 6^th June 2018 with the theme, “Internet Governance: Sustaining Development” and Nigeria IPv6 Roundtable, in commemoration of the World IPv6 Day with the theme IPv6, Broadening the Horizon, in addition to the Panel session on “IPv6 and GDPR: Issues and challenges in Nigeria,” at the Cooperative Hall, Oshodi-Isolo Secretariat, Oshodi-Lagos had participants cut across Stakeholders in ICT industry in Nigeria, Students, Youth and women in attendance.

The following are their submissions:

RECALL

1.      That the forum has been created and nurtured for the past 9 years as a platform to x-ray issues and potentials germane in the ICT sector, with particular emphasis to computing, internet governance-related issues, propagating its use, impacting positively on young minds and new users and also helping to further advance Nigeria in the ever-rapidly advancing phenomenon of global ICT

2.      The aim of Nigeria IPv6 Roundtable is to create a forum that will encourage public discourse and create awareness on technological and business benefits of internet Protocol version Six (IPv6) addresses and to motivate organisations across the industry - internet service providers, hardware makers, operating system vendors and web companies to prepare their services for IPv6, and also join the rest of the world to celebrate the World IPv6 Day as well as offer a platform for networking.

OBSERVATION

1.      Internet is one of the primary influences on globalization and it is increasingly playing an important role in the ability of nations to participate meaningfully in global economic activities

2.      All businesses today depend on the internet to reach customers, manage suppliers and conduct most internal and external business operations

3.      Nigeria has a huge potential for digital dividends considering her high population density

4.      All regions continue to show double-digit growth rates but Africa stands out with a growth rate of over 40% – twice as high as the global average

5.      Mobile broadband is the most dynamic market segment and stands at around 78 active subscriptions per 100 inhabitants in Europe and the Americas; Africa is the only region where mobile broadband penetration remains below 20%

6.      Nigeria has one of the largest and fastest growing telecoms market in Africa

7.      Telecommunication is the 5^th most resilient sector in Nigeria.

8.      Telecommunications constitutes a significant portion of the Nigerian economy. It contributes 8.88% to the nation’s economy as such it should be supported.

9.      NCC has removed the barriers to market entry and now rely upon natural market forces and technology to ensure market sustainability

10.  IPv4 (the underlying architecture that has supported the internet thus far) is almost exhausted and is not nearly enough to meet the ever-expanding needs of the commercial interne.

11.  The rapidly growing numbers of internet users, network and connected devices require, more unique identifiers than IPv4 can provide.

12.  The establishment of the IPv6 Council is a positive step in the right direction

13.  The recent introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by the EU, rights and data protection are better secured for EU nations. Countries, individuals, government and corporate bodies doing business with EU nations are bound by that same regulation.

OBJECTION

1.     We frown at the poor quality of service caused primarily by network capacity constraints; the lack of physical and transmission infrastructure; scarce spectrum resources; unreliable power supply; disparity in telecommunications facilities between urban and rural areas; shortage of long term investment capital; skill shortages; security challenges; theft; transmission cable cuts etc.

CHALLENGES

1.     The introduction of GDPR poses great risks for countries doing business with EU nations.

2.     Poor infrastructure that supports ICT development should be improved upon

OPPORTUNITIES

1.     Nigeria has rich cultural heritage and indigenous knowledge; students, youth and women are encouraged to make positive use of the internet for their self-development.

2.     Nigeria should endeavor to migrate to IPv6 to participate actively in the global ICT trend.

3.     Nigeria should embrace the great potential in her human and natural resources and leverage on it to create services and products with IPv6 compliance to address our local challenges.

THE WAY FORWARD

1.      There is need for everyone to get connected to the internet

2.      The Federal Government should make Telecoms Infrastructure a critical national resource to help in protecting online jobs and businesses

3.      While we desire for a quick migration to IPv6, there is also the need to prepare for the challenges that come with it, as such the Federal Government is advised to be more proactive in providing the enabling environment for a smooth migration of the nation to IPv6.

4. There should be IPv6 awareness and capacity building by organizing seminars and trainings, possibly incorporating IPv6 into university curriculum.
5. IPv6 Task Force to Visit 10 top service providers with IPv6 allocation but not yet activated.
6. Provide some profit incentives to Internet Industry for encouraging them to adopt IPv6 based Infrastructure. These incentives could include reduction in regulatory fee and tax rebates.
7. Upstream Internet connectivity providers should be encouraged to enable IPv6 in their networks.
8. All new IT equipment supplied to Government should be IPv6 compliant and Government to set target date for MDAs to have IPv6 compliant networks.

9.      Government should make haste to sign into law the Digital rights and freedom bill which seeks for freedom of expression online

10.  We should have more events like this and educate more masses about what is trending. More Schools and teachers should be involved at events of this nature.

11.  As developers, we should study the law very carefully since the GDPR is applicable to Nigerians doing business with European nations.

12.  Federal Government should focus more on the use of IT to create more jobs, create more wealth and also focus on building IT capacity of our youths.

13.  The advantage of the ICT adoption in governance and ultimately Nigeria will stimulate transparency, productivity, efficiency and timely operations.

14.  To further create opportunities for Nigerians, there is an urgent need to address the challenges of the industry and leverage on the opportunities. One of which is to continue to build communications infrastructures (satellite, terrestrial networks and Telecommunications) to aid transition and lower the barriers to entry, which will further increase participation and eventually drive ICT

15.  There is need to encourage young IT entrepreneurs to learn through regular capacity building workshops and symposia to indirectly build IT soft skills and employment generation.

16.  There is need to look inwards to get youngsters that will develop and maintain Apps for cost efficiency and effectiveness.

17.  There is need to migrate to IPv6 and the need to use smarter devices since the opportunities that abound in IPv6 are so vast such that you can operate your gadgets or devices at home from miles away.

18.  There is need for network and content operators to make their networks and websites available over IPv6 for the foreseeable future to encourage quick migration to IPv6 addresses and appliances.

19.  The internet is a public resource and people should be careful about what they post to avoid assault.

20.  Stronger cyber laws should be enacted and implemented to prevent and curtail cyber crimes.

21.  There is a great need to develop apps as well as capacity that help ensure cyber safety.

22.  Government at all levels should encourage e-governance as this will help in tracking government activities through the social media; it will also give people access to participate in governance thereby encouraging transparency and efficiency.

23.  Young graduates should realize they are the architects of their own future as such they should learn early enough to take their destinies into their own hands.

Photos from NDSF 2018 can be viewed here:

Video clips from NDSF 2018 can be viewed here:

For further information:

Contact us:

DigitalSENSE Africa Media

Block F1, Shop 133 Moyosore Aboderin Plaza, Bolade Junction,
Opp. Akinkpelu Street, Oshodi-Lagos
P.O. Box 2823 Oshodi Post Office, Oshodi-Lagos State, Nigeria

234-8034606066, 8099400183, 7026272656, 8023122558, 8033592762

E: info@digitalsenseafrica.com.ng /remnekkv@gmail.com

Website: www.digitalsenseafrica.com.ng

Primary Contact:

Name: NKEMDILIM NWEKE (Executive Director, Operations),

Email: nkem@digitalsenseafrica.com.ng, nkem_nwk@yahoo.com

Telephone: 234-8099400183, 8023725607

Secondary Contact:

Name: REMMY NWEKE (Lead Strategist)

Email: editor_ls@digitalsenseafrica.com.ng, remmyn@gmail.com

Telephone: 234-8023122558, 8033592762, 8041000475

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!