Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, has warned that Africa risks losing its voice in global telecommunications governance unless nations foster stronger collaboration and adopt unified technical stances. Addressing the 7th Ordinary Session of the African Telecommunications Union’s Conference Preparatory Committee in Abuja, Maida stressed that regional influence depends on thorough preparation rather than the size of delegations.
Representing Nigeria, Maida stated that Africa must present coherent, evidence-based positions at upcoming international events, including the International Telecommunication Union Plenipotentiary Conference in Doha. He identified critical areas for joint policy, such as AI governance, cybersecurity, spectrum harmonization, and data protection, noting that these borderless challenges require institutional cooperation rather than isolated national efforts.
Maida urged African nations to participate more actively in technical study groups and committees. He explained that by engaging early in the standards-setting process, Africa can ensure global regulations reflect the continent’s specific realities regarding digital finance, mobile connectivity, and youth-driven internet usage. He suggested that collaboration should be a continuous process facilitated by regular technical meetings and shared research, rather than a task limited to the duration of specific conferences.
During the session, Permanent Secretary Engr. Faruk Yabo affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional digital integration. Meanwhile, ATU Secretary-General John Omo highlighted the organization’s growth in membership and progress in areas like satellite communications and broadband expansion. However, Omo cautioned that financial instability due to inconsistent member contributions remains a significant barrier to operational efficiency. The committee is expected to review the Union’s governance and prepare for the upcoming election of a new Secretary-General for the 2027–2031 term.