Situating NITDA’s Digital Literacy Drive
Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has embarked on a Digital Literacy Drive (DLD) an initiative which is aimed at equipping Nigerians with the necessary digital skills to thrive in a digital economy.
The agency aims to achieve the following through the DLD initiative with the key objectives of bridging the digital divide, and enhancing digital literacy among Nigerians, especially in rural and underserved areas for financial inclusiveness.
The overall objective according to NITDA is to promote digital inclusion, foster a culture of digital citizenship and ensuring equal access to digital opportunities.
To achieve these plans within the shortest time possible, NITDA is partnering with several organisations including the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Youth Service Corps(NYSC), Cisco and the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
NITDA and NUC have collaborated to integrate digital literacy as a mandatory general course in Nigerian universities. NITDA has also partnered the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) with the aim of training corps members who in turn will train 30 million digital literate youths by 2027.
The agency has also partnered with tech giant, Cisco as well as the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to provide digital literacy training to students in Nigerian universities.
These partnerships are aimed at promoting digital literacy and preparing Nigerian youths for the digital economy, equip them with improved digital skills that will enhance employability level and entrepreneurial prospects.
The programme is designed to provide digital literacy training sessions, that cover basic computer skills, online safety, and digital tools, digital entrepreneurship, e-commerce, and online business management.
It is targeting youth by focusing on young Nigerians, within the age bracket of 18-35, to equip them with essential digital skills, enhancing women’s participation, promoting digital literacy and entrepreneurship among females in the country as well as prioritising rural and underserved areas, ensuring equal access to digital opportunities.
NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Abdullahi, says he believes that “digital literacy is crucial for bridging the digital divide and driving Nigeria’s digital economy.”
He urged corps members to lead the digital literacy drive, which aims to train and educate Nigerians on the transformative power of digital literacy. He also emphasised that this initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises innovation-driven economic growth, youth empowerment, and national prosperity.
He also stressed the importance of incorporating digital literacy into university curricula, highlighting the need for universities to equip students with essential digital skills adding that NITDA aims to achieve 70% digital literacy by 2027 and 95% by 2030.
“To achieve this goal, NITDA has partnered with various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, the NYSC, and other strategic partners.
The agency has also provided intensive training for champions of the digital literacy for all initiative, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to promote digital literacy in their communities.”
The Minister of Communications Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, also emphasised the importance of digital literacy in driving Nigeria’s digital economy.
He noted that the government has set an ambitious goal of achieving 70% digital literacy by 2027 and highlighted the challenges in reaching the target, which include: limited connectivity and the need for inclusive digital literacy programmes.
