“Leaving no one behind also means leaving no one offline.”
Sook-Jung Dofel, Director General, GIZ & IGF MAG Member
From June 23rd to 27th, 2025, NGYouthSDGs Programme Manager Ms Opeyemi Ogundeji joined global leaders at the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Oslo, Norway, to shape the future of digital governance. She contributed to critical conversations on digital inclusion, policy transformation, and sustainable development.
Why IGF 2025 Mattered
IGF remains a vital space where global digital policies are shaped through multi-stakeholder dialogues. For us at NGYouthSDGs, participating was not just about having a seat at the table; it was about ensuring that the lived experiences and aspirations of young Nigerians, especially from underserved communities, inform decisions that affect their digital futures.
Over the years, NGYouthSDGs has committed to amplifying youth voices in global policy spaces. IGF 2025 was another opportunity to uphold this mission.
Our Contributions: Opeyemi Ogundeji’s Reflections
During the Open Forum session hosted by the European University Institute and the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, themed “WSIS+20 and SDGs: A Collaborative Global Dialogue”, we shared key insights drawn from our grassroots engagements:
– Decentralising Policy Engagement through Digital Tools
Digital technologies can democratise governance when used intentionally. Through our #ClimateActionForStrongerNaija project, we used online surveys and digital dialogues to crowdsource community adaptation needs for Nigeria’s National Adaptation Plan and NDCs. This showed how tech bridges policy and community realities.
– Bridging the Affordability Gap for Internet Access
In early 2025, rising data tariffs forced many young Nigerians to choose between staying connected and meeting daily needs. We advocated for needs-based data subsidisation to ensure that affordability does not remain a barrier, especially for rural and low-income communities, aligning directly with SDGs 4, 9, and 10.
– Digital Capacity Building in the Public Sector
While the private sector prioritises digital skills, many public institutions still operate manually. We highlighted that a digitally literate public sector is key to effective partnerships, transparency, and youth inclusion. Through grassroots e-learning and digital training, we empower young people to bring these skills back into their communities.
Our Recommendations to Global Stakeholders
We urged decision-makers to:
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Build digitally inclusive governance models from the bottom up
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Develop youth-specific data access subsidies
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Prioritise digital skills development within the public sector
“Digital inclusion must not be a luxury. It is a foundation for achieving the SDGs.”
Other Highlights from IGF 2025
WSIS+20 and SDGs Panel
Alongside global leaders like H.E. Mr. Ekitela Lokaale (Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the UN), Thibault Kleiner (European Commission), Sook-Jung Dofel (GIZ), and Kurtis Lindqvist (ICANN), the session emphasised the need for stronger human rights frameworks, transparent AI governance, and national strategies that localise digital policies.
Open Forum with Maria Ressa
Listening to Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa speak on the role of media in countering digital authoritarianism was inspiring. She reminded us that:
“In the battle for facts, journalism becomes activism.”
Stocktaking and Youth Inclusion
Participants stressed moving beyond tokenistic “box-ticking” for youth representation, forming intergenerational coalitions, and ensuring youth presence on the IGF Leadership Panel.
Looking Ahead
The IGF closing ceremony left us with a powerful call:
“The future is written in the choices we make. Let every platform reflect human values.”
For us at Network of Youth for Sustainable Initiative (NGYouthSDGs), digital transformation is not just about technology; it is about people. It is about building an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable digital future where no young person is left offline or behind.
