Yemisi Izuora
The Director-General (DG) of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), Joseph Tegbe, has highlighted Nigeria’s role and commitment as an active stakeholder in shaping international frameworks governing data access, utilization, and security.
The DG, restated the country’s role in that regard as he joined other international delegates at the inaugural assembly of the World Data Organization (WDO), held recently in Beijing.
The high-level gathering convened over 500 participants, including senior government officials, multilateral institutions, and digital technology experts, marking a significant step toward strengthening global coordination on data governance and the digital economy.
Accompanied by the NCSP Head of International Relations, Ms. Judy Melifonwu, Tegbe’s participation underscores Nigeria’s growing strategic interest in global digital cooperation, particularly within the context of its bilateral engagement with China.
As Director-General of the NCSP, his presence reflects ongoing efforts to position Nigeria as an active stakeholder in shaping international frameworks governing data access, utilization, and security.
The assembly featured a keynote address by Ding Xuexiang, who delivered remarks on behalf of Xi Jinping. In his address, the Vice Premier emphasized the need for coordinated global action to harness the value of data while ensuring security, inclusiveness, and trust in the digital economy.
For Nigeria, participation at this level presents significant opportunities to engage in global standard-setting discussions on data governance and cross-border data flows, strengthen bilateral cooperation with China in advancing digital infrastructure and innovation, unlock new pathways for investment and knowledge exchange within the digital economy, and position Nigerian institutions and talent to benefit from emerging global data ecosystems.
The establishment of the WDO signals a new phase in international collaboration on digital transformation, and with Tegbe’s engagement, the NCSP continues to play a pivotal role in aligning Nigeria’s strategic interests with evolving global opportunities in data and technology.