Hello World, a non-profit organization based in the UK, has partnered with the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Tizeti Internet, and seven local Community Network micro-organizations to tackle the digital divide in Nigeria.
Katrin McMillan, the CEO and Founder of Hello World, conveyed her enthusiasm for revisiting Nigeria, the birthplace of the idea. She envisions instructing community-based organizations in implementing Hello World’s designs and community-led engineering approach in their respective states, tailoring the model to fit local contexts.
She envisions the collaboration’s goal as introducing the “Hello Hub,” an innovative, sustainable, and community-driven solution to bridge the digital divide in Nigeria.
“These solar-powered, outdoor internet kiosks with public touch-screens will be constructed, managed, and maintained by local communities, starting with Dakwa” the report indicated.
The collaboration aims to provide participants with the necessary community engagement and engineering skills for constructing Hello Hubs. By adopting a capacity-building approach, CITAD and participating micro-organizations will gain the ability to independently create and customize Hello Hubs throughout Nigeria.
During the training, a Hello Hub will be constructed in real-time in the Dakwa community, providing a tangible example of the project’s potential impact. The Hub will be connected to free Tizeti internet, showcasing the practical implementation of the initiative.
Dahiru Abubakar, CITAD programme officer, in his addresss emphasized the community-driven nature of the Hello World initiative, encouraging local contributions and fostering a sense of ownership among the communities involved.
The project’s goal is not only to bridge the digital gap but also to inspire further community-led initiatives. By leveraging CITAD’s experience, APC’s influence, and Hello World’s community-led model, the collaboration aims to expand digital connectivity further across Nigeria.
Also speaking, Ismaila Shuaibu, Chairman Dakwa Community, disclosed Hello World is about to change the lives of people in Dakwa by bringing something they have been yearning for years.
“This Hub will be maintained at all cost” Shuaibu assured.
According to the statement, with over ten years of experience, Hello World has already implemented similar projects in Uganda and Nepal, providing internet access to approximately 100,000 people worldwide through 70 Hello Hubs in Uganda and 20 in Nepal.
Highlighting the urgency of their work, the press release noted that 81% of Nigerians lack meaningful internet connection, and only 6.6% of those in rural areas have good connectivity.
