NITDA partners with UBEC, targets 95 percent digital literacy in Nigeria by 2030

*The National Information Technology Development Agency restates the Nigerian Government’s unwavering commitment to achieving 95 percent digital literacy across Nigeria by the year 2030, with an ambitious milestone of attaining 70 percent by 2027

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed the Nigerian Government’s unwavering commitment to achieving 95 percent digital literacy across Nigeria by the year 2030, with an ambitious milestone of 70 percent by 2027.

ConsumerConnect reports Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of NITDA, stated this during a collaborative meeting, hosted by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), in Abuja, FCT.

NIDTA said the pronouncement is in total alignment with the current administration’s priority areas of reforming the Nigerian economy for sustained inclusive growth, while accelerating diversification through industrialisation, digitisation, creative arts, manufacturing, and innovation.

Inuwa also highlighted the government’s strategic prioritisation of human capital development as central to its national transformation agenda.

He noted: “We started this journey in 2023 when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came on board and he made it clear that economic diversification and inclusivity are part of the administration’s agenda.

“And the President (Bola Ahmed Tinubu) outlined this in eight priority areas to achieve the vision, with priority number 7 specifically, focused on accelerating industrialisation, digitisation, creative arts, manufacturing, and innovation.”

Significance of digital fluency in national transformation, by Inuwa

Recognising the importance of digital fluency in achieving this agenda, Inuwa restated NITDA is committed to investing in the digital empowerment of citizens through the development of the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF), a strategic blueprint aligned with international best practices.

In order to tailor the framework to Nigeria’s specific needs, the agency incorporated six core competency areas to include device and software operations, information and data literacy, communication and collaboration, content creation, safety, and problem solving, stated he.

The Director-General further explained that the framework would address all levels of digital fluency, from basic, intermediate to advanced levels, to make digital skills accessible to every Nigerian, from primary school pupils to working professionals.

Inuwa said despite data limitations, NITDA has estimated that Nigeria’s digital literacy rate currently stands at 50 percent, up from 44 percent in 2021, according extrapolations from the World Bank’s Better Life Report.

Inuwa disclosed the Information Technology (IT) sector regulatory agency has been working closely with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) to develop a curriculum for digital literacy, for integration into formal education in the West African country.

He stated that the visit was a continuation of NITDA’s ongoing engagements with key education stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), and the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC).

These are all aimed at advancing digital literacy across all levels of learning in Nigeria, he noted.

The NITDA Chief as well revealed ongoing collaborations with global platforms, such as Coursera to train teachers using AI-powered lesson generation tools and provide scalable online training.

It is recalled NITDA, in 2024, partnered with the Nasarawa State University in collaboration with CISCO to launch the Digital Learning for NSUK (DL4NSUK) initiative to enhance digital literacy in tertiary institutions.

The initiative is also designed to equip Nigerian graduates with needed skills to be digitally proficient and globally competitive.

He equally stressed that the entire process, from curriculum development to classroom delivery, would require a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.

“This is not a journey we can walk alone; we must bring everyone on board, education stakeholders, technology providers, state governments, and international partners,” said Inuwa.

UBEC: Infrastructure key to effective implementation of Nigeria’s digital literacy curriculum

In response to the NITDA Director-General Inuwa’s remarks, Hajiya Aisha Garba, UBEC Executive Secretary, confirmed that the Commission has officially received the digital literacy curriculum developed by NITDA and NERDC, and has commenced internal review processes.

She acknowledged the curriculum is robust and forward-looking.

Hajiya Garba, however, stressed the need for simplification to suit early learners and teachers, citing challenges including curriculum overload, limited teacher capacity, and inadequate infrastructure as key barriers to effective implementation of the digital literacy curriculum.

The Executive Secretary of UBEC pledged that the Commission, in partnership with the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), would lead efforts at equipping schools with computers and solar-powered infrastructure to support real learning.

Garba stated: “We’re committed to working with NITDA and NERDC to refine the curriculum, train teachers, and ensure effective delivery.

“Let us align the technical vision with grassroots realities to make a lasting impact.”

To formalise the implementation of the resolutions of the meeting, the two organisations established a joint inter-agency committee to develop strategic plans that would ensure the effective rollout of the digital literacy initiative.

This is to equip young Nigerians with the essential digital skills required to thrive in an increasingly dynamic and technology-driven global landscape.

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