About THE NEXT INTERNET

THE NEXT INTERNET: Nigeria School on Internet Governance 2026 is a national capacity-building initiative designed to strengthen meaningful participation in Internet governance across Nigeria. The School will bring together emerging leaders and stakeholders from government, academia, civil society, the technical community, the private sector, and media to develop the knowledge, practical skills, and networks needed to engage effectively in national, regional, and global Internet governance processes.

As Internet access, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and online services increasingly shape Nigeria's social and economic development, decisions about how the Internet is governed affect everyone. Yet meaningful participation in Internet governance requires more than connectivity—it requires diverse stakeholders who understand how the Internet works, how governance decisions are made, and how they can contribute to those processes.

Background, History & Purpose

Schools of Internet Governance emerged from the recognition that effective participation in Internet governance requires stakeholders to understand not only Internet technologies, but also the policy, legal, economic and social processes that shape them. Over time, SIGs have developed into practical learning spaces that bring diverse stakeholders together to build knowledge, exchange perspectives and strengthen participation in national, regional and global Internet governance processes.

History of THE NEXT INTERNET

THE NEXT INTERNET: Nigeria School on Internet Governance 2026 is the inaugural edition of a BHACDI-led national School on Internet Governance, conceived in response to the growing importance of Internet governance to Nigeria's social, economic, technological and democratic development.

As Internet connectivity, digital services, artificial intelligence, data-driven technologies and online platforms increasingly influence everyday life, decisions about how the Internet is governed can no longer remain the concern of technical specialists or policymakers alone. Meaningful Internet governance requires informed participation from government, the private sector, civil society, academia, the technical community, media, young professionals and Internet users themselves.

THE NEXT INTERNET was therefore developed as a national capacity-building initiative to create a practical space where stakeholders from different sectors can learn about Internet governance, understand different stakeholder perspectives, examine emerging digital-policy challenges and develop the skills needed to participate constructively in Internet governance processes.

The 2026 edition is the first edition of the School and establishes the foundation for a continuing national learning and engagement platform through which participants can remain connected to Nigeria's Internet governance ecosystem and relevant regional and global processes.

Purpose

The purpose of THE NEXT INTERNET is to strengthen the capacity of emerging Nigerian Internet governance stakeholders to understand, participate in and contribute to Internet governance processes at national, regional and global levels.

The School will provide participants with practical knowledge and opportunities to engage with issues including:

Internet governance and the multistakeholder model
Internet infrastructure and connectivity
Digital rights and inclusion
Cybersecurity and online safety
Data governance, privacy and protection
Artificial intelligence governance
Internet policy and regulation
Emerging technologies
Digital development and the future of Nigeria's Internet

Objective

THE NEXT INTERNET aims to build a new generation of informed and active Nigerian Internet governance stakeholders who can contribute constructively to digital policy discussions and decision-making.

The School will:

Build foundational knowledge of Internet governance and the Internet ecosystem.
Strengthen participants' understanding of the multistakeholder model.
Connect Nigerian digital priorities with regional and global Internet governance processes.
Develop practical skills for policy dialogue, stakeholder engagement, and collaborative problem-solving.
Create opportunities for meaningful participation by youth and emerging professionals.
Strengthen connections among government, academia, civil society, the technical community, and the private sector.
Encourage participants to translate learning into continued engagement and practical action.

Format

A four-day intensive School

The School will combine:

Expert-led sessions
Foundational and advanced discussions with experienced practitioners and specialists.

Multistakeholder dialogues
Participants engage directly across government, civil society, academia, private sector and technical community perspectives.

Practical simulations
Participants work through realistic Internet governance scenarios and experience the complexity of policy decision-making from different stakeholder perspectives.

Policy and innovation labs
Small groups examine contemporary Nigerian digital challenges and develop collaborative responses.

Networking and peer learning
Participants build relationships with other emerging Internet governance leaders.

The curriculum will address the technical, political, legal, economic, social, and policy dimensions of Internet governance, with particular attention to issues relevant to Nigeria's digital future.

Core themes

Internet Governance Foundations

Understand how the Internet works, how it is governed, and the institutions and processes that shape its development.

Multistakeholderism

Explore how government, civil society, academia, the technical community and the private sector participate in Internet governance.

Digital Rights & Inclusion

Examine digital rights, freedom of expression, access, accessibility, affordability and meaningful participation in the digital society.

Cybersecurity & Online Safety

Explore cybersecurity, digital trust, online safety, cyber resilience and the responsibilities of Internet stakeholders.

Data Governance & Privacy

Understand data governance, privacy, personal data protection and emerging challenges surrounding responsible data use.

Artificial Intelligence Governance

Examine the policy, ethical, social and regulatory questions emerging from artificial intelligence and automated systems.

Internet Infrastructure & Connectivity

Explore the technical foundations of the Internet, connectivity, infrastructure, interoperability and the conditions required for an open and resilient Internet.

Digital Policy & Regulation

Examine how laws, regulations and public policies influence Internet access, innovation, rights, security and digital development.

Emerging Technologies

Consider how emerging technologies are changing society and creating new questions for Internet governance and public policy.

Nigeria in Regional & Global IGF Processes

Connect Nigeria's Internet governance priorities with African, regional and global Internet governance processes and opportunities for meaningful participation.

Learning Approach

THE NEXT INTERNET is designed as an active learning experience rather than a conventional conference. Participants will learn from experts, engage with peers, examine real-world governance challenges, participate in simulations and collaborative exercises, and develop practical approaches to Internet governance issues.

Applied Learning & Participant Outputs

The School's applied learning component will run throughout the four-day programme. Participants will be organised into four cross-stakeholder working groups of approximately 10 participants each. Beginning with the identification and framing of a Nigerian Internet governance challenge, groups will progressively undertake stakeholder analysis, examine evidence and competing perspectives, assess possible governance responses, and develop practical recommendations as they apply concepts introduced throughout the School.

Each group will develop a concise Policy/Action Brief and present its recommendations on the final day for moderated discussion and peer feedback. The four groups will therefore produce four Policy/Action Briefs as practical outputs of the School.

Participants will also develop an Individual Internet Governance Engagement Plan, identifying relevant national, regional or global Internet governance processes and concrete opportunities for continued engagement following the School.

Who Should Attend?

THE NEXT INTERNET welcomes emerging leaders and professionals interested in the future of Nigeria's Internet, including:

Government and public-sector representatives
Civil society and nonprofit practitioners
University lecturers, researchers and students
Internet and technology professionals
Telecommunications and Internet service providers
Technical community representatives
Entrepreneurs and private-sector professionals
Journalists and media professionals
Digital rights and policy advocates
Youth leaders and emerging Internet governance practitioners

Participants will be drawn from diverse regions and stakeholder groups across Nigeria.

Future Aspects

Beyond the School

THE NEXT INTERNET will not end with the final session.

The School will establish an alumni community through which participants can continue learning, networking and contributing to Nigeria's Internet governance ecosystem.

Post-School engagement may include:

Alumni networking
Periodic virtual policy dialogues
Peer learning sessions
Mentorship and knowledge exchange
Opportunities to participate in Internet Governance initiatives
Connections to national, regional and global Internet governance forums
Sharing of relevant opportunities, fellowships and calls for participation

The longer-term ambition is for THE NEXT INTERNET to become a recurring national platform for developing and connecting the people who will help shape Nigeria's digital future.

Expected Outcomes

By the end of the School, participants will:

Demonstrate improved understanding of Internet governance concepts and institutions.
Understand the roles and perspectives of different stakeholder groups.
Demonstrate increased confidence participating in Internet governance dialogue.
Apply stakeholder analysis and collaborative problem-solving to practical governance scenarios.
Apply Internet governance concepts through collaborative stakeholder analysis, policy problem-solving, and the development and presentation of four concise Policy/Action Briefs addressing relevant Nigerian Internet governance challenges.
Develop connections with peers and practitioners across Nigeria's Internet governance ecosystem.
Identify concrete opportunities for continued engagement after the School.

Progran Details Agenda Application Apply

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