Lack of Policy Hampers the Growth and Sustainability of Community Networks In Nigeria – CITAD

Zainab Tanimu

Kaduna, Northwest, Nigeria

Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), has identified lack of Policy as one critical problem militiating against the growth and sustainability of Community Networks In Nigeria.

The Executive Director, CITAD, Zakari Ya’u  made this revelation while giving a run down of some of the activities of CITAD, its achievements and challenges during a fora comprising community representatives, Non Governmental Organizations and Media held in Kaduna.

According to him, promoting digital literacy will involve digital inclusion. Research he said has shown that technology has not reached about 80m people. They are living without access to digital education. And that the majority  are women. About 118 Nigerians are digitally excluded. He added.

“There is digital divide, men trying to push women out of digital space.

This however is not particular to Nigeria but what is peculiar is that while other countries are able to address the digital divide, Nigeria has not been able to do so.”

Policy making in Nigeria is gender blind he said thus, the need for gender- sensitive policies.  A policy that will give women space to participate.

Ya’u, attributed this setback to reasons why many women remain docile in areas of great concerns. Example being that of gender and digital marginalization in Nigeria.

There is need to promote policy space to allow for the growth of community networks.

Economy of a country is shaped by how it’s citizens are able to use internet.

CITAD he informed is working on 3 critical areas.

Aside the advocacy for community network policy which it has pushed far by meeting relevant stakeholders, CITAD is also working on capacity building because  it considers acquiring of skills very important.

“Even if you have policy, you need to have the people who will be able to design, develop around community networks. We selected seven communities where we are working and building these capacities. Four of these communities are within the Federal Capital Territory  (FCT). These areas are desirous of connectivity.

One is in Kafancha, 2 in the centers we took over from the legislatures in Jumare Local Government Area. We have been building capacities and also engaging the community directly in the last couple of weeks. He said.

Some of these communities Ya’u informed have made offer to donate land for setting up community network.

This he said shows that the communities themselves have started understanding the importance of being digitally inclined.

“In November 2021, we were here in Kaduna and we ran a school of community networks which basically brought people from various communities for one week. They were given basic training on tele – communication. Right now, we are running an online programme as a follow – up  and also monitoring the process. Our hope is to produce some tele-communication technicians/engineers.” He stated.

The third area of focus the director explained is that of raising public awareness by engaging stakeholders through meetings, interactive sessions  to provoke issues of paramount importance with a view to finding possible lasting solutions.

CITAD he said will not relent in its efforts to push for gender and community network policy as well as ensure that improved information technology is realized.

In its advocacy drive, CITAD has met with the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, visited Nigeria Broadcasting Board (NBC), and Nigerian Communications  Board (NNC) to see how this can be achieved.

 CITAD is anxiously waiting for a bill that will promote Gender and Community Networks, a bill that is gender friendly, stressing that, NCC has no gender policy and that in the history of Nigeria, only once has a woman been Minister of tele – communication.

 The Director, speaking on the drive for local content policy said CITAD has local content policy and has already pushed it forward to the national assembly but waiting for ractification. Any contractor doing any government contract, 30 percent most be local content. The director stated.

 One of the officers, Hajiya Harira Hakini in her presentation on “Gender Digital Marginalization in Nigeria said the situation is worrisome because few women have assess to the space and the few that have this opportunity are faced with problems.

Such problems like being hindered by cultural beliefs, lack of adequate education,  bullying from the men as well as that of finance.

Emphasizing, she said if women have assess to community networks, it would not only help to facilitate communication between families and friends but also help in the growth of their businesses through networking.

She said there are lots of opportunities online.

While listing factors that determine effective use of Internet by individuals to include, affordability, assessibility awareness and availability, she called on women to exert their worth by awakening their digital consciousness.

Hajiya Harira appealed that government provide enabling environment for the women to strive.

According to another officer, Suhail, CITAD enjoyed maximum cooperation of the community leaders and members in all the areas of activities. Their assistance he said have been of great help in the execution of their programme.