After Okonjo Iweala, the former Finance Minister of Nigeria joined Twitter Board of Directors some weeks ago, Omobola Johnson, the ex communication Minister in the country also joined the Web Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Omobola served as Nigeria’s Minister of Communication from 2011 to 2015 where she developed the country’s ambitious 2013-2018 National Broadband Plan, and directed substantial efforts to bring down the cost of internet access in Nigeria.
She will use her knowledge of technology policy and life-long commitment to provide strategic policy guidance to the foundation.
According to President and CEO of the Web Foundation, Adrian Lovett, “We are delighted to welcome Dr Johnson to the Web Foundation. Omobola’s extensive experience and leadership in the technology and telecommunications sector — both in Africa and across the globe — will strengthen our work and allow us to further progress toward our shared vision of digital equality.”
See Also: Egypt Finally Approves Social Media Regulation Law
As of this moment, Omobola is a Senior Partner at TLcom Capital LLP and Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI)’s Honorary Chair. During her time as Minister, the percentage of people online in Nigeria nearly doubled, growing from 24% of the population in 2010 to 43% in 2014.
Nigeria became the first African country to join the Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI) — a global coalition, led by the Web Foundation, working to make broadband affordable for all under her leadership.
Dr Johnson is a Trustee of the World Economic Forum’s Future of the Internet Initiative, a Founding Chairperson and Trustee of Women in Management in Business, and serves on the board of a number of leading Nigerian and multinational corporations.
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