- Federal government pushes to digitally empower over 70% of Nigerians by 2027
- NITDA expands nationwide programmes, deploys corps members to rural communities
- Over 350,000 already trained in North; digital centres, fibre rollout underway
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has reaffirmed the federal government’s ambitious plan to equip more than 70 percent of Nigerians with basic digital skills by 2027, under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking during a two-day government–citizens engagement session in Kaduna organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Mr Inuwa said the initiative is a key driver for inclusive growth and national development.
“Digital technology powers everything else and provides a framework for inclusive growth,” he said.
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He outlined three strategic pillars for achieving this: human capital development, innovation-driven entrepreneurship, and nationwide digital infrastructure. However, he emphasised that building digital capacity remains the agency’s most urgent priority.
350,000 Trained, NYSC Collaboration Begins
According to Mr Inuwa, over 350,000 Nigerians in Northern Nigeria have already been trained since 2023 through NITDA’s flagship initiatives like the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme and the Digital Literacy for All campaign.
To expand its grassroots reach, NITDA is now collaborating with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to train corps members as digital literacy ambassadors, who will then take digital skills to informal sectors and underserved rural communities.
“This bottom-up approach ensures that no one is left behind,” Inuwa declared.
Digital Skills to Be Embedded in School Curriculum
He also revealed that the agency is working closely with the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC) to integrate digital skills training from basic to tertiary levels.
“We want to make digital literacy as fundamental as reading and writing,” he added.
Infrastructure Drive to Back Expansion
Complementing the digital skills push, NITDA is also supporting infrastructure rollouts including 90,000km of fibre optic cable nationwide and the construction of three digital centres in each state.
In Northern Nigeria alone, the agency has commissioned 13 IT community centres, 101 digital e-learning hubs, and a cybersecurity research facility.
These centres, according to Inuwa, will serve as “anchors for innovation, job creation, and skills development.”
Nigeria to Host Global Tech Events
In further efforts to position Nigeria as a global digital talent hub, Mr Inuwa announced that the country will host GITEX Nigeria in September and the UN ICT for Governance (ICEGOV) Summit in November.
“These events will showcase Nigeria’s digital capabilities and attract global partnerships,” he said.
Inuwa concluded by reiterating that digital literacy is not merely about technology but about empowerment, unity, and economic sustainability.
“With collective effort, we will build a more equitable, prosperous, and united Nigeria,” he asserted.
