Appraising NITDA’s digital literacy, youth empowerment initiatives for inclusive growth in Nigeria

*Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, maintains the Information Technology sector regulator is poised to adopt the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF) to actualise objectives of the ‘Digital Literacy for All’ initiative for Nigerians towards attaining inclusive and sustainable development

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

As part of efforts at ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind in the fast-evolving digital world, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has introduced the ‘Digital Literacy for All’ (DL4ALL) initiative for Nigerians, especially the young and energetic population, using its National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF).

ConsumerConnect reports the Information Technology (IT) sector regulatory agency has disclosed the pioneering effort is aimed at bridging the digital divide in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s priority area “to reform the economy to deliver sustained inclusive growth.”

In regard to the fundamental objective of the ‘Digital Literacy for All’ initiative, NITDA has stressed the concept is to ensure that every Nigerian has access to digital literacy while ensuring that no consumer is left behind in the rapidly evolving digital world.

According to the agency, the initiative is “strategically designed to propel Nigeria towards a mid-term target of achieving 70 percent digital literacy level by 2027”, and 95 percent by 2030.

Actualising objectives of ‘Digital Literacy for All’ initiative for Nigerians

The IT sector regulator has explained the programme would equip individual Nigerians with necessary tools to access and utilise online resources for education, employment, and government services safely, and protect themselves online from cyber threats and misinformation in cyberspace.

Other advantages of the programme, NITDA said, include empowering Nigerians to communicate and collaborate effectively, using digital tools.

It will also empower the masses of the people to develop the digital fluency required for many in-demand jobs, as well as consideration for translating content into local languages to ensure accessibility and cater to diverse audiences across the West African country.

NITDA recently demonstrated the significance of the ‘Digital Literacy for All’ initiative during the 2024 International Girls in ICT Day held April 25, in the country, stating the agency marked a significant milestone aligned with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

It is noted that the agency, in collaboration with Illimi Children Fund, concluded a Digital Literacy Training Programme, where 100 girls were empowered across key National Digital Literacy Framework competence areas of the IT regulator.

According to NITDA, the event vividly captures its committed efforts at providing opportunities while echoing the ethos of a brighter future, as envisioned by the President.

Restating the essence of the initiative recently, Inuwa in his welcome address delivered at the National Digital Literacy Framework Stakeholders Awareness Session held in Ikoyi, Lagos, noted that the session with stakeholders across various sectors of the economy to develop engaging and accessible content that caters to the specific needs outlined in the NDLF conforms to the Federal Government’s commitment to enabling the Nigeria Digital Economy.

Represented at the session by Dr. Falilat Jimoh, Head of Digital Inclusion at NITDA South-West Zonal Office, the Director-General of NITDA disclosed the framework has a mid-term achievement target of 70 percent by 2027 and 95 percent by 2030 for the attainment of digital literacy in the country.

Collaborations on innovative skills development, youth empowerment

The agency has continued to express its readiness to forge beneficial partnerships and collaborations with individuals and organisations, especially in the areas of digital literacy and youth empowerment.

Of recent, Inuwa while welcoming Titi Gbadamosi, Special Assistant to the President on Delivery and Monitoring of Youth Initiatives, to the NITDA Corporate Headquarters, in Abuja, had emphasised that the visit was to collaborate with the NITDA in the areas of digital literacy and youth empowerment.

This, among other collaborative efforts, is with a view to achieving the current administration’s vision in accelerating diversification through industrialisation, digitisation, creative arts, manufacturing, and innovation, he stated.

Inuwa also used the occasion of the Presidential aide’s visit to share the agency’s initiatives, focusing on digital and innovative skills development.

He as well assured Gbadamosi of the agency’s commitment to partnering with the Presidency to enhance the current digital skills training to empower more Nigerian youths in the ecosystem.

On both corporate and diplomatic levels, the agency has continued to evolve partnerships with industry stakeholders to actualise its mandate as the IT sector regulator in the West African country.

NITDA Chief has also shared the vision of the agency with Terrance Wu, Managing Director of Huawei Nigeria Enterprise, during his visit to discuss tech-driven operations, notably in banking and security sector, including ongoing smart city initiatives in Lagos State.

Wu applauded the Nigerian youths’ ICT prowess, affirming that they have always been the winner in the Huawei ICT competition over the years.

The IT regulatory agency equally asserted that with 25 years of presence in Nigeria, Huawei has been providing “telecoms training for students and youths”.

Inuwa, therefore, expressed NITDA’s interest in partnership for youth training, aligning with the National Digital Literacy Framework for indigenous certification.

This is to ease certification for Nigerians and achieve the goal of 95 percent digital literacy by 2030, while also supporting ongoing initiatives like 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT), stated the Director-General of the agency.

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