Johnson, Ex ICT Minister Joins World Wide Web Foundation Board

Dr Omobola Johnson, former minister of Communication Technology, has been appointed as the newest member of the World Wide Web Foundation Board of Directors.

Web Foundation is working for a world where everyone has the same rights and opportunities online.

Johnson is a Nigerian technocrat and the Honorary Chairperson of the global Alliance for Affordable Internet and the Web Foundation hopes that her expert knowledge of technology policy and life-long commitment to enabling connectivity for all will provide invaluable guidance for the Foundation as we fight to ensure everyone can access the web and use it to improve their lives.

Johnson, who is currently a Senior Partner at TLcom Capital LLP, brings over 30 years of ICT experience across the private and public sectors.

From 2011-2015, she served as Nigeria’s Minister of Communication, where she developed the country’s ambitious 2013-2018 National Broadband Plan, and worked more broadly to bring down the cost of internet access in Nigeria. 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.

Under her leadership, 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. Since 2015, Omobola has served as A4AI’s Honorary Chair, where she has provided the Alliance with strategic policy guidance and has led high-level advocacy efforts to drive down the cost of internet. She will continue in this role through October 2018.

Remarking on her appointment,  Johnson said: “After three years as Honorary Chair of the Alliance for Affordable Internet, I am excited to continue my work to expand affordable internet access as part of the Web Foundation Board of Directors, as well as to work across a wider range of digital rights issues that are critical to securing the future of the free and open web.”

Welcoming Omobola, Afsaneh Beschloss, Chair of the Board of the Web Foundation, said: “Dr Johnson will bring a depth of private sector and high-level government experience to her role on the Web Foundation board that will be invaluable in our mission to get everyone, everywhere connected. We look forward to working together to advance affordable internet access and online rights around the world.”

Adrian Lovett, President & CEO of the Web Foundation said: “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.”