The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting digital inclusion and empowering young women in technology by hosting 185 students as part of the Federal Government’s Girls in ICT initiative.
The students, drawn from different geopolitical zones across Nigeria, visited the Commission on an educational excursion aimed at exposing them to opportunities in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector and inspiring future careers in technology.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Nnenna Ukoha, said the programme was organised by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to equip young Nigerians, particularly girls, with essential digital knowledge and technology-related skills.
According to her, the participants were selected through a competition designed to promote digital inclusion and encourage greater participation of girls in ICT. Some of the students were also chosen from Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) backgrounds.
Ukoha explained that the visit formed part of activities under the National Girls in ICT Programme, an initiative focused on bridging the gender gap in technology through mentorship, digital skills training, and exposure to innovation.
During the tour, the students received insights into the history and evolution of telecommunications in Nigeria. They learned about the early communication systems established during the colonial era, including telegraph services that connected Lagos to other parts of West Africa and Europe through submarine cables.
The participants were also introduced to the state of telecommunications at Nigeria’s independence in 1960, when only 18,724 telephone lines served a population of approximately 40 million people.
In addition, NCC officials highlighted key developments in the sector after independence, including the roles played by the former Department of Posts and Telecommunications, Nigerian External Telecommunications Limited (NET), and the establishment of the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) in 1985.
A major highlight of the excursion was a guided tour of the NCC Museum, where students explored historical artefacts that showcase the transformation of communication technology in Nigeria.
Among the exhibits were a Post Office Counter and Sorting Racks dating back to 1852, the historic Grand “T” Key used in Lagos Post Offices during the nineteenth century, leather mail bags from 1863, telegram machines, teleprinters, digital card phones, cordless PBX systems, and other communication devices that played significant roles in the country’s telecommunications journey.
Speaking during the event, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, represented by the Director of Research and Development, Babagana Digima, said the initiative aligns with the Commission’s goal of promoting digital literacy among young Nigerians.
Maida noted that exposing students to the history of telecommunications helps them understand the remarkable transformation from analogue communication systems to the modern digital era.
He emphasized that such experiences are vital in inspiring young people to become innovators and leaders in Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
“The goal is to engage young people and help them understand the evolution of communication technologies. By learning about the past and seeing the present, they can imagine the future and contribute meaningfully to shaping it,” he said.
The tour concluded with students exploring various exhibits documenting milestones in Nigeria’s communications sector and gaining a deeper appreciation of the role technology has played in national development.
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