FG committed to ITU standardisation programme —Minister

THE Minister of Communication, Dr. Adebayo Shittu, has said that the Federal Government is fully committed to the standardisation programme in the telecommunications sector by the International Communication Union (ITU).

Shittu, therefore, revealed that Nigeria would join the ITU in the Bridging the Standardisation Gap (BSG) programmes by facilitating the efficient participation of the country in ITU’s standard-making processes and hands-on sessions during the year.

The Minister, who was represented at the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (2019) by Director (Radio Monitoring & Survey) Mr Kilyobas Binga, held at the SGF Hall, Federal Secretariat, said the BSG was a fundamental part of ITU’s mission to connect the world.

He said one of the strategic objectives of ITU’s standardisation sector (ITU-T) was to address the disparities in the ability of developing countries, relative to developed ones, to access, implement and influence ITU’s international standards.

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He said, “the overarching goal of the Bridging the Standardisation Gap (BSG) programme was to facilitate increased participation of developing countries in standardisation, 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”.

Shittu added that ITU standards were consistently being pursued to ensure inter operability, open up global markets and spur innovation and growth, noting that the standards were  good for both the developed and developing countries as well as to help accelerate ICTs for all Sustainable Development Goals.

reiterated that Nigeria would learn about Bridging the Standardisation Gaps, develop the right skills for standards-making at ITU-T community, join the activities in the regions and participate in the standardisation work of ITU-T as well as partner with recognised bodies to help bridge the standardisatyion gap.

He called on  ITU member states, industry members, big and  small  companies and academia, together with UN sister agencies, partners and all stakeholders, to support the BSG programme for the prosperity and the well-being of all.

The minister pointed out that the Ministry of Communications remained committed to forward-looking policies to enable citizens, businesses and societies to prosper while mitigating the possible adverse effects that could accompany economic change.

He said the policy would encourage investment and promote the development of digital economies, while building an inclusive digital future for its citizens.

He called on all stakeholders and government at all levels, in collaboration with other concerned bodies to put up strong measures that would bridge the standardisation gap.