Nigeria Secures Strategic Role in Global Digital Economy at World Data Organization Launch

By: Michael Mike

In a landmark move aimed at cementing its influence in the global digital economy, Nigeria participated in the launch of the World Data Organization (WDO) in Beijing, China.

At the event, which held on Monday, the country was represented by Director-General and Global Liaison of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), Joseph Tegbe alongside Head of International Relations at NCSP, Judy Melifonwu.

The WDO, headquartered in Beijing, is the first international body dedicated to advancing data governance, enabling secure cross-border data flows, and promoting the inclusive growth of the digital economy. Its launch brings together global powers seeking to address the digital divide, enhance cybersecurity, and establish standards that ensure equitable benefits from data-driven development.

Speaking on behalf of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Ding Xuexiang outlined the organisation’s three strategic pillars: facilitating the free and secure flow of data across borders, promoting inclusive digital development, and establishing coordinated global frameworks to protect data from cyber threats.

For Nigeria, participation at the WDO’s founding stage represents a deliberate, forward-looking strategy under the Renewed Hope Agenda. Analysts note that it positions the country to influence global digital governance standards, accelerate access to emerging technologies, and participate in international research initiatives. Such engagement is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, enhance the competitiveness of startups and financial institutions, attract foreign direct investment, and generate high-value employment opportunities for the nation’s growing youth population.

Furthermore, the WDO platform allows Nigeria to deepen collaboration in cybersecurity, enabling the country to contribute to international frameworks that safeguard national data, combat cybercrime, and ensure digital sovereignty.

Observers said Nigeria’s involvement reflects a strategic evolution in the Nigeria–China partnership, which has moved beyond traditional infrastructure projects toward high-impact, technology-driven cooperation. By joining the WDO, Nigeria positions itself to harness the opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, ensuring that technological innovation drives sustainable growth across critical sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, governance, and finance.

“The participation of Nigeria at the WDO launch is not only symbolic; it is a tangible assertion of the country’s intent to be at the forefront of global digital governance,” said a senior NCSP official. “It ensures that Nigeria has a voice in shaping rules that govern the digital economy while unlocking opportunities that directly benefit its citizens and businesses.”

The WDO’s establishment is being hailed as a critical step in bridging the global digital divide, offering developing nations like Nigeria an unprecedented opportunity to integrate into global digital networks while safeguarding national interests.

With its seat at the WDO table, Nigeria is now strategically positioned to influence global data policies, strengthen cybersecurity frameworks, and drive innovation-led economic growth in the emerging digital era.

Nigeria Secures Strategic Role in Global Digital Economy at World Data Organization Launch

FG, Benue, UNHCR Partner to Deliver Life-Saving Support to 100,000 Displaced Persons

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government, the Benue State Government and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have agreed on a coordinated intervention to deliver urgent life-saving and protection support to communities affected by violence and displacement in Benue State.

The agreement was formalised following a meeting witnessed by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro, during which letters were exchanged between the Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Iormem Alia, and UNHCR’s Country Representative in Nigeria, Arjun Jain.

The initiative, supported through the Nigerian Humanitarian Fund, is expected to directly benefit about 100,000 people in Guma and Makurdi Local Government Areas, with many more indirectly supported through improved protection systems and preventive security measures.

Speaking on the partnership, the Minister said the intervention reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting Nigerians affected by conflict and displacement.

According to him, the collaboration will ensure that vulnerable families receive urgent assistance while advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at restoring safety, dignity and stability to affected communities.

He added that the intervention will focus on three priority areas, including the provision of protection-based life-saving assistance for displaced populations, support for relocating families from camps to safer settlements, and the installation of solar-powered lighting systems to strengthen security in vulnerable communities.

The programme will also expand and digitise protection monitoring systems to enable real-time reporting, early identification of threats and integration into state and federal early-warning mechanisms.

Alia described the partnership as a critical step toward addressing the humanitarian crisis caused by persistent displacement in the state.

He noted that Benue has borne a heavy burden of forced displacement for years and stressed that the collaboration would help scale up immediate humanitarian relief while strengthening long-term systems to protect communities.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring displaced families regain access to safety, recovery and opportunities for rebuilding their lives.

UNHCR Country Representative, Arjun Jain, also underscored the importance of strong government leadership and coordinated action in addressing humanitarian challenges.

He said the collaboration would allow partners to rapidly expand protection services and deliver assistance to families facing severe risks while laying the foundation for sustainable solutions.

Implementation of the joint intervention is expected to begin in April 2026.

FG, Benue, UNHCR Partner to Deliver Life-Saving Support to 100,000 Displaced Persons

Gombe, UNICEF move to increase immunisation coverage

The Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency is leading efforts, with support from UNICEF, to increase immunisation coverage across the state.

The Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr. Abdulrahama Shuaibu, disclossed this in an interview with newsmen on Monday, after an immunisation review meeting.

Shuaibu said that the agency had stepped up advocacy and community outreach, working with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and the media to encourage parents to take their children for vaccination.

According to him, vaccination teams, chosen from within the local communities, receive full training and daily refresher sessions to ensure high-quality service delivery.

On the issue of resistance, Shuaibu assured parents that the agency and development partnets would not leave any stone unturned in ensuring every child was fully immunised.

Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, said engagement and grassroots mobilisation had significantly improved awareness.

Rafique said traditional rulers and emirs were actively supporting the campaign by hosting launch events in their palaces.

“This involvement is important because it helps the campaign reach more people and work better,” she said.

According to her, UNICEF has provided more than 965,000 polio vaccine doses, which have been safely delivered and managed across all local government areas.

She noted that the campaign had strong support from all stakeholders

“The state government has ensured proper storage, handling, and delivery to field teams.

“The campaign is targeting over 700,000 children, with daily reports showing that more than 60 per cent of targets are being met, though final figures will only be confirmed after the campaign ends.

She, however, stated that the major focus was on the more than 50,000 zero-dose children—those who had never received any vaccination.

“Intensified efforts are underway to ensure none are left behind,” she added.

The UNICEF scribe expressed optimism that with the government and its partners, backed by strong leadership, community ownership, and sustained collaboration, Gombe State wss on track to achieve significant results in the remaining three days of the five-day campaign.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the campaign is targeting more than 900,000 children between the ages of 0–59 months.

Gombe, UNICEF move to increase immunisation coverage