Shittu: Nigeria joins ITU’s
Shittu: Nigeria joins ITU’s BSG programme
The Honourable Minister of Communication, Dr. Adebayo Shittu has
assured that Nigeria will join the International Communication
Union (ITU) in the Bridging the Standardization Gap (BSG)
programmes by facilitating the efficient participation of Nigeria
in ITU’s standard-making processes and hands-on sessions during the
year.
The Minister of Communications who was represented at the World
Telecommunication and Information Society Day (2019) by Director
(Radio Monitoring & Survey) Engr.Kilyobas N. Binga which was
held at the SGF Hall, Federal Secretariat said the BSG is a
fundamental part of ITU’s mission to connect the world.
He stated that it is also one of the strategic objectives of
ITU’s standardization sector (ITU-T) to address the disparities in
the ability of developing countries, relative to developed ones, to
access, implement and influence ITU’s international standards
In his words “the overarching goal of the Bridging the
Standardization Gap (BSG) programme is to facilitate increased
participation of developing countries in standardization, to ensure
that developing countries experience the economic benefits of
associated technological development, and to better reflect the
requirements and interests of developing countries in the
standards-development process”.
Dr. Shittu added that ITU standards are consistently being
pursued to ensure interoperability, open up global markets and spur
innovation and growth noting that the standards are good for both
the developed and developing countries as well as to help
accelerate ICTs for all Sustainable Development Goals.
The Minister reiterated that Nigeria shall learn about Bridging
the Standardization Gaps, develop the right skills for
standards-making at ITU-T Community, Join the activities in the
regions and Participate in the standardization work of ITU-T as
well as Partner with recognized bodies to help us bridge the
standardization gap.
He calls on ITU Member States, industry members, small and big
companies and academia, together with UN sister agencies, partners
and all stakeholders, to support ITU’s “Bridging the
Standardization Gap (BSG)” programme for the prosperity and the
well-being of all.
The Minister pointed out that the Ministry of Communications is
committed to forward-looking policies to enable citizens,
businesses and societies to prosper while mitigating the possible
adverse effects that can accompany economic change.
He said the policy will encourage investment and promote the
development of digital economies, while building an inclusive
digital future for its citizens and therefore call on all
stakeholders and government at all levels, in collaboration with
other concerned bodies to put up stiff measures that would bridge
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