Group wants FG to introduce internet governance in school curriculum

 An NGO, Nigerian School on Internet Governance (NSIG), has called on the Federal Government to introduce internet governance into school curriculum at all levels.

This is contained in a communiqué jointly signed by the Fellows of NSIG, Messrs Owo Tugwell, Godwin Tobechi, and Praise Sunday, on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the group, internet governance is fast becoming a global tool for governance, which needs to be introduced into the country’s educational system.

“There is the need to introduce internet governance into our education system, using the Nigerian perspective.

“This will help students in their academics and even workers in corporate environments to understand and utilise comprehensive and structured knowledge on internet governance.

“This is a way for youths to also better understand the complexity related to internet governance and its importance to the nation’s growth and development,” it said.

The NGO further stated that such knowledge would empower the next generation of Nigerians from diverse sectors, backgrounds and ages with the skills to participate in local and international internet governance structure.

It said that internet governance would also shape the future of the internet landscape for Nigeria`s development and make the internet safer.

The NGO called on Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) to formulate and implement policies for the provision of robust connectivity infrastructure and data privacy, while also ensuring affordable data services.

It also advised that already-made government policies should be implemented to ensure competitiveness amongst internet service providers to boost services to every nook and cranny of the country.

“Communications stakeholders of internet governance should collaborate, organise training workshops, fellowship programmes, webinars, short courses, amongst others, to promote capacity building and empower youths.

“Also, virtual platforms should be inculcated for inclusiveness for everyone to have access and for participants to network after the training,” it said.

The group appealed to religious institutions to also get involved by organising programmes on internet governance and digital skills to actively engage the youth on the positive use of the internet.

It called on managements of schools at all levels to introduce initiatives such as short courses and trainings that would foster capacity building in the schools

The NGO said that the federal government, through the Ministry of Education and all relevant stakeholders, should create awareness on internet governance as a global political tool for governance.