JUST IN: Five Nigerians Appointed To UN Global Digital Policy Group

Five Nigerians have been appointed to the United Nations Group on the Information Society’s Multistakeholder Consultation Group (UNGIS-MCG), a 92-member body established to strengthen stakeholder participation in global digital policy discussions.

Meet the five Nigerians:

1. Dr Jimson Olufuye
Principal Consultant at Kontemporary Konsulting and Chair of the Advisory Council of the Africa ICT Alliance (AfICTA). He brings experience in the ICT industry and digital policy advocacy.

2. Ebenezer Dare
Chief Executive Officer of Hostlag Ltd., representing Nigeria’s technology and digital services sector.

3. Atule Christian
President of the National Union of Telecommunication Engineering Students of Nigeria, representing the technical community and emerging telecommunications professionals.

4. Martha Alade
Executive Director of Women in Technology in Nigeria, an organisation focused on advancing women's participation in the technology ecosystem.

5. Rafiu Olaore
Executive Director of the Youths Enterprise Development and Innovation Society, representing youth development and innovation interests.

What the Appointment Means
The UNGIS-MCG serves as an advisory and consultative platform for sharing information on UNGIS priorities and gathering feedback from diverse stakeholder communities.

Its membership brings together representatives from governments, the private sector, civil society, the technical community, academia and international organisations.

The initiative builds on the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)+20 Review and aims to promote inclusive dialogue on the future of the global information society.

The Nigerians are expected to serve for a minimum of two years, providing opportunities to bring perspectives from Nigeria's technology industry and civil society into international discussions on digital developmentThe appointments also highlight the importance of ensuring that African experiences and priorities are represented in conversations about digital inclusion, connectivity, technology governance and the future of the global digital economy.

Members are expected to serve for a minimum of two years, contributing their expertise and perspectives to discussions on global digital priorities.

The group will facilitate information sharing, gather stakeholder feedback and promote inclusive dialogue on the future of the global information society.

The initiative builds on the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)+20 Review and seeks to strengthen collaboration among governments, businesses, civil society, academia and technical communities.

Why It Matters

The appointments give Nigerian technology and civil society stakeholders an opportunity to contribute directly to international discussions shaping digital development, technology governance and the future of the global information society.