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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
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Rapporteurs:
Elonna Aguh (Lead) Albert Aguh (Support)
Compére:
Chris Uruakpa
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The 2018 edition of the Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum
series on Internet Governance for Development (NDSF IG4D) (in its 9th
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, 9th
edition on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D) was held on Wednesday 6th 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 5th 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.
- There
should be IPv6 awareness and capacity building by organizing seminars and
trainings, possibly incorporating IPv6 into university curriculum.
- IPv6
Task Force to Visit 10 top service providers with IPv6 allocation but not
yet activated.
- 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.
- Upstream
Internet connectivity providers should be encouraged to enable IPv6 in
their networks.
- 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.
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
Primary Contact:
Name: NKEMDILIM
NWEKE (Executive Director, Operations),
Telephone: 234-8099400183,
8023725607
Secondary Contact:
Name: REMMY NWEKE
(Lead Strategist)
Telephone: 234-8023122558,
8033592762, 8041000475
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