Lagos — As the controversy over who controls the Internet deepens as a run off to the Tunis phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), two Nigerian Internet experts have urged active role by Africa nations on issues relating to Internet governance moreso since the Internet holds the key to the future. One of them also canvassed a Nigerian national position on the issue to be known to all.

The vice president of the Nigerian Internet Group and CEO Pinet Informatics, Mr. Lanre Ajayi told THISDAY that the Internet is becoming very vital to the economic and social life of many nations. In that case, it won't be out of order if nations are beginning to take keen interest in the way the Internet is being governed.

In his words, "It is therefore not inappropriate if African Governments also demand to have input into the governance of the Internet even if only through a UN agency like the ITU as it is being clamoured."

He would however want that such a change if it becomes absolute necessary should be by consensus by all stakeholders including ICANN members.

The CEO of Starslink Communications Nigeria Limited, Mr. Chris Kehinde Nwandu in his own response said until Africans start putting resources together and set up their own satellite and hubs, which is very independent of the western world, it would be difficult for them to have a say on anything concerning the Internet. This is because virtually all the traffic on the Internet passes through the United States. Majority of the hubs are located in the US, which why they could have direct access into our traffic.

On the domineering role over the Internet for which the US is being criticised, Ajayi said the Internet cannot be said to be governed, presently, solely by the US. According to him, ICANN, which administers the names and numbers which are the main ingredients of Internet governance is a Non-Profit organisation.

He explained that although based in the US, ICANN is a grassroot organisation with membership from all over the world and decision-making process is from bottom up. And although the US has tremendous influence, ICANN still tends to reflect the input of stakeholders in reaching vital decisions.

He added, "While people who think a UN agency is more appropriate to do this job may have their point, I will rather like to think that a body that has supervised the Internet to this level of stability should not be hurriedly deprived of that assignment. Even if such change is to be effected, it has to be by consensus of all stakeholders, ICANN members included and should be carefully done in the interest of the stability of the Internet."

Nwandu, while sympathising with the position of the EU would however not want the involvement of any government in the administration of the Internet. He said, "The private sector, yes but I do not agree with Government involvement." Although he agreed that to a large extent, some measure of control is expected, this should not be the prerogative of a single nation, rather it should be a collective measure as this will create a more balanced and acceptable approach.

On the role should Nigeria play in canvassing the African position, the Pinet boss said "Nigeria should be active in articulating the Africa position and canvassing it at appropriate fora. And before canvassing an African position one would expect Nigeria to have taken a national position on this issue and that position should be known to all stakeholders within the country. Unfortunately this seems not to be case now."

On the expected role of Nigeria in canvassing the African position, Nwandu said the country should be in the forefront. According to him, this can be done through the African Union or the African Development Bank. "There should be a centralised African HUB or HUBS as the case may be, Africa could be interconnected. Our traffics does not have to pass through the US or Europe before landing in Africa.

On whether the Tunis phase of WSIS may resolve this controversy, Ajayi said it seems so moreso as there appears to be convergence of positions on the issue in many quarters. Nwandu is however more concerned about Africa using the Tunis WSIS meting in November should be used to canvass the African position.