In a bid to bridge the digital divide and foster economic growth, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has launched an ambitious digital literacy initiative.
The initiative, known as the Digital Literacy Drive (DLD), aims to empower Nigerians with essential digital skills, enabling them to thrive in an increasingly digital world. It is part of NITDA’s broader strategy to promote digital inclusion and drive national development. The programme seeks to equip Nigerians, particularly those in rural and underserved areas, with the skills required for financial inclusion, digital citizenship, and equal access to digital opportunities.
To accelerate the programme’s implementation, NITDA has partnered with key organisations, including the National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Cisco, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development on:
University Integration: NITDA and the NUC have collaborated to make digital literacy a mandatory general course in Nigerian universities.
Youth Training: Through a partnership with the NYSC, the agency plans to train corps members, who will in turn train 30 million digitally literate youths by 2027.
Corporate Partnerships: Collaborations with Cisco and the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development focus on providing digital literacy training to university students, enhancing employability and entrepreneurial prospects.
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The programme delivers training on various topics, including basic computer skills, online safety, digital tools, digital entrepreneurship, e-commerce, and online business management. Key focus areas include:
Youth Empowerment: Targeting individuals aged 18-35, equipping them with essential skills for the digital economy.
Women’s Participation: Promoting digital literacy and entrepreneurship among women in Nigeria.
Rural Inclusion: Prioritising rural and underserved communities to ensure equal access to digital opportunities.
NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, emphasised the importance of digital literacy in bridging the digital divide and supporting Nigeria’s digital economy. In his words:
“Digital literacy is crucial for bridging the digital divide and driving Nigeria’s digital economy.”
Inuwa encouraged corps members to lead the literacy drive and align their efforts with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on innovation-driven economic growth, youth empowerment, and national prosperity. He further highlighted the agency’s ambitious targets of achieving 70% digital literacy by 2027 and 95% by 2030.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, reinforced the importance of digital literacy for Nigeria’s digital transformation. He acknowledged challenges such as limited connectivity and the need for inclusive programmes but reiterated the government’s commitment to achieving the 70% literacy target by 2027.
NITDA has also trained community champions to promote digital literacy initiatives, equipping them to drive the programme at grassroots levels. The agency’s efforts aim to create a digitally inclusive Nigeria, where every citizen has the opportunity to participate in and benefit from the digital economy.
This comprehensive initiative underscores Nigeria’s commitment to innovation, economic growth, and global competitiveness through digital empowerment.
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