The Honourable Minister of Communication, Dr. Adebayo Shittu has assured that Nigeria will join the International Telecommunication 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 Telecommunications and Information Society Day 2019 by Director (Radio Monitoring & Survey) Engr. Kilyobas N. Binga which was held at SGF Hall, Federal Secretariat, Abuja 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 the 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 the 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 reiterated 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 the standardization gap.
Source: DD Press (Federal Ministry of Communications)
