The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has commended the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, for spearheading initiatives aimed at equipping young Nigerians, particularly girls, with critical digital skills and knowledge.
The commendation was made on Thursday during a guided tour of the National Communications Museum in Abuja for 185 contestants participating in the 2026 National Girls in ICT (NG-ICT) Competition.
Speaking during the event, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Aminu Maida, described the programme as a strategic effort that aligns with the Commission’s commitment to promoting digital literacy and inclusion across the country.
The contestants, selected from Nigeria’s six geo-political zones, are participating in the competition designed to encourage greater involvement of girls in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and other Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
The museum visit formed part of activities under the National Girls in ICT Programme, an initiative of the Ministry aimed at bridging the gender gap in the technology sector by providing young girls with digital skills, mentorship opportunities and exposure to innovation.
Represented by the Director of Research and Development at the NCC, Babagana Digima, Maida said the museum tour was intended to connect the younger generation with the rich history of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, highlighting its evolution from analogue systems to today’s digital ecosystem.
According to him, exposing young people to the history of technological advancement is crucial to nurturing future leaders capable of driving Nigeria’s expanding digital economy.
“The whole idea behind this is that we are looking at the younger generation. We want to show them what communication is all about. This museum preserves the history of the communications sector and showcases its evolution from the postal system and telegraphy to the digital age,” he said.
He added that the experience was designed to stimulate curiosity among the participants and inspire them to envision and contribute to the future of technological innovation in Nigeria.
During the tour, NCC officials guided the students through a collection of exhibits and historical artefacts documenting key milestones in the development of telecommunications in Nigeria. Participants learned about the establishment of the country’s earliest communication facilities in 1886 by the colonial administration and the subsequent expansion of telegraph services linking Lagos with other parts of West Africa and Europe through submarine cable connections.
The students were also introduced to the state of telecommunications at Independence in 1960, when Nigeria had only 18,724 telephone lines serving an estimated population of 40 million people. The presentation further explored post-independence development plans, the operations of the former Department of Posts and Telecommunications (P&T), Nigerian External Telecommunications (NET) Limited, and the creation of the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) in 1985.
A major highlight of the visit was the display of rare historical artefacts preserved at the National Communications Museum. Among the exhibits were a Post Office Counter dating back to 1852, Sorting Racks introduced to Lagos in the same year, the historic Grand “T” Key used at the Lagos Post Office in the nineteenth century, leather mail bags from 1863, telegram machines, teleprinters, cordless PBX systems, digital card phones and other relics that chronicle the transformation of Nigeria’s communications sector over the decades.
The NCC said initiatives such as the National Girls in ICT Programme are vital to fostering innovation, promoting gender inclusion and preparing the next generation to participate actively in Nigeria’s digital future.
