*NITDA disclosed the overarching aim of the stakeholder collaboration is equip underserved communities with digital skills and access to technology, as part of efforts to accelerate Nigeria’s digital transformation
Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has restated its commitment to expanding digital inclusion through strategic partnerships with stakeholders in the ecosystem in Nigeria.
ConsumerConnect reports NITDA disclosed the overarching aim of the stakeholder collaboration is to equip underserved communities with digital skills and access to technology, as part of efforts at accelerating digital transformation in the West African country.
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Speaking on the agency’s collaboration with Cal-Maji Foundation, Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of NITDA, gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by Mrs. Faith Ayuba, Executive Director of the Foundation, to NITDA Headquarters, in Abuja, FCT.
Inuwa, represented by Mr. Oluwunmi Oladejo, Director of Digital Development Services of the Information Technology (IT) sector regulatory agency, emphasised that collaboration with community-based organisations remains central to NITDA’s vision.
The Director-General noted that the vision is to ensure that no Nigerian is excluded from the opportunities presented by the digital economy.
The NITDA Chief Executive also explained that the Foundation’s visit and positive feedback underscored the lasting impact of the agency’s interventions across Nigeria.
He stated: “It is always gratifying to receive feedback from communities that have benefited from our interventions.
“Many of these projects were implemented years ago, and it is rewarding to know they are still creating opportunities.”
The Director-General further explained that NITDA continues to monitor the performance of its intervention centres nationwide, while deploying emerging technologies to enhance digital learning and virtual capacity-building.
The Agency’s National Digital Literacy Framework remains the cornerstone of its efforts at equipping children, students, artisans, farmers, professionals, and other segments of society with the digital competencies needed to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven economy, said he.
Responding to requests for additional support, Inuwa disclosed that the agency would consider training community-based instructors to sustain digital literacy programmes at the grassroots.
He encouraged the Foundation to submit a formal request, accompanied by evidence of activities at the centre, to facilitate further intervention.
Inuwa, however, observed that sustaining Internet connectivity across numerous intervention centres nationwide remains a significant funding challenge, requiring innovative solutions and collaboration.
Mrs. Faith Ayuba, Executive Director of Cal-Maji Foundation, in her earlier remarks, had commended NITDA for its openness to partnerships and responsiveness to organisations committed to improving livelihoods in rural communities in the country.
Ayuba described the IT regulatory agency as one of the few government institutions that supports credible initiatives, based on impact rather than personal connections.
She noted the Foundation focuses on expanding access to education, strengthening food systems, improving food security, and providing social protection for women, as well as young people, particularly in hard-to-reach communities.
The Executive Director of Cal-Maji Foundation further stated that NITDA’s Knowledge Access Centre, established at the Foundation’s community school in a border community in Kogi State, has transformed learning by providing students and residents with access to computers, Internet services and digital education.
She asserted: “The ICT centre became an equaliser.
“Young people who ordinarily would never have had access to computers or the Internet suddenly had the opportunity to acquire digital knowledge.
“We came back simply to say thank you because this partnership has changed lives.”
Mrs. Ayuba disclosed that over 1,000 children have benefited from the Foundation’s educational programmes, and presented a former student who progressed from the community school to a Nigerian University after leveraging the digital resources available at the centre.
She described his success as evidence of the initiative’s enduring impact.
The Foundation, therefore, appealed for deeper collaboration through the training of community instructors, upgrading of computer systems and increased access to NITDA’s digital capacity-building initiatives.
The Executive Director of the Foundation as well emphasised that rural communities must not be left behind as Nigeria advances in emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity.
NITDA said the meeting concluded with both organisations’ reaffirming their shared commitment to expanding digital opportunities, empowering underserved communities and strengthening partnerships that support Nigeria’s inclusive digital economy agenda.