*The National Information Technology Development Agency, at an event in Abuja, launches the Youth Online Safety Campaign and My Digital World (MDW) 2.0, as part of initiatives developed by Meta in partnership with the IT regulatory agency and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development in Nigeria
Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect
The Nigerian Government has intensified efforts at building a digitally inclusive economy while enhancing trust in the digital ecosystem, as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening youth online safety and digital literacy via a strategic collaboration with Meta.
ConsumerConnect reports Malam Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, Director-General of NITDA, restated the agency’s renewed commitment during the Youth Safety Summit, organised by Meta at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, FCT.
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The Information Technology (IT) sector regulatory agency said the Summit attracted stakeholders from government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), industry stakeholders, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and the education sector to advance collaborative efforts aimed at ensuring young Nigerians enjoy safe, age-appropriate, and positive online experiences.
According to NITDA, a major highlight of the event was the launch of the Youth Online Safety Campaign and My Digital World (MDW) 2.0, initiatives developed by Meta in partnership with NITDA and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.
Represented on the occasion by Dr. Ahmed Tambuwal, Acting Director of Digital Literacy and Capacity Building Department at NITDA, Inuwa noted that the agency’s collaboration with Meta aligns strongly, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said that was particularly in regard to priority areas of Reforming the Economy for Sustained Inclusive Growth and Strengthening National Security through robust cybersecurity measures that enhance digital trust and confidence.
The Director-General of the agency also explained that building a digitally skilled population capable of safely navigating the online environment is fundamental to unlocking innovation, entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic opportunities in the digital age.
As regards the significance of the Summit’s theme, “Advancing Youth Online Safety Through Collaborative Action”, Inuwa stressed that protecting young people online requires collective responsibility from all stakeholders.
The Chief Executive of NITDA stated: “Today’s theme is both timely and compelling.
“It reminds us that while digital technologies have created unprecedented opportunities for learning, innovation, entrepreneurship, and social connection, ensuring that young people can benefit from these opportunities safely is a shared responsibility.”
Inuwa as well opined that digital literacy could not be separated from online safety.
The ability to use digital tools, he maintained, must be accompanied by the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the digital space responsibly.
The Director-General explained: “At NITDA, we believe that digital literacy and online safety are inseparable.
“Equipping citizens with digital skills without teaching them how to navigate the digital world safely, responsibly, and ethically would leave our work incomplete.”
According to him, this philosophy is embedded in NITDA’s National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF) and the Agency’s flagship Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative, through which it aims to achieve 70 percent digital literacy by 2027 and 95 per cent by 2030.
Inuwa further disclosed that online safety, digital citizenship, privacy, digital wellbeing, critical thinking, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy have become core competencies within the framework.
He said: “Within this framework, online safety, digital citizenship, privacy, digital wellbeing, critical thinking and, increasingly, Artificial Intelligence literacy are treated not as optional topics, but as essential competencies for every Nigerian.”
Inuwa also highlighted the growing partnership between NITDA and Meta, describing it as a model for effective public-private collaboration in driving Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
NITDA affirmed that over the past year, both organisations jointly, had implemented the Youth Online Safety and Wellbeing Campaign, which reached over 94 million people and generated over 216 million impressions across Facebook and Instagram.
It noted the campaign provided millions of Nigerian consumers with practical guidance on online safety, privacy protection, digital wellbeing, and responsible internet use.
The partnership also extended to activities marking Safer Internet Day, where members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) were engaged and empowered to become advocates of responsible digital behaviour within their communities.
More recently, both organisations reaffirmed their commitment to advancing Nigeria’s digital economy through innovation and inclusion at the Nigeria Digital Economy Forum.
Expressing optimism about the launch of My Digital World 2.0 and describing it as a strategic platform, Inuwa declared: “We believe MDW 2.0 presents an excellent opportunity to institutionalise online safety education within Nigeria’s broader digital literacy ecosystem.”
The Director-General revealed that NITDA intends to integrate the programme into its teacher capacity-building initiatives, strengthen the resources available to its nationwide network of Digital Literacy Champions, and expand awareness campaigns through partnerships with state governments, traditional institutions, faith-based organisations, and community stakeholders.
Ensuring children’s safety online requires more than secure platforms he stated.
Inuwa explained this requires informed families, empowered educators, and digitally aware communities.
He stated: “Our shared ambition should be to ensure that every Nigerian child is supported not only by safer digital platforms, but also by informed parents, empowered teachers, and digitally confident communities.”
Describing the launch as a significant step forward, Inuwa said the initiative marks the beginning of a deeper partnership between government and industry aimed at preparing a new generation of Nigerians for the digital future.
Inuwa asserted: “Today’s launch is more than the unveiling of another programme.
“It is the beginning of a deeper strategic collaboration between government and industry to build a generation of Nigerians who are digitally skilled, digitally responsible, and digitally resilient.”
The NITDA Chief, therefore, reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to working with Meta and other stakeholders to build a secure and inclusive digital ecosystem where innovation thrives, opportunities are accessible to all, and every Nigerian can participate confidently in the digital economy.
In attendance at the event also are the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, and the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim.
The agency revealed the two Ministers reaffirmed their Ministries’ commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders to develop and implement policies that foster a safe, inclusive, and enabling digital environment, particularly for young Nigerians, to navigate the Internet responsibly and securely.