NITDA to Empower 30 Million Nigerians with Digital Literacy by 2027

The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has announced that the federal government aims to make 30 million Nigerians digitally literate by 2027. This initiative is part of a comprehensive plan to enhance digital skills across the nation and drive economic diversification.

To achieve this ambitious goal, the government plans to introduce digital literacy as a course in formal educational institutions starting next year. Speaking at the launch of the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) program in Minna, Niger State, Abdullahi stated, “To accelerate the diversification of the national economy, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed NITDA to ensure Nigerians are digitally literate by the target date.”

He further explained that the objective is to reach 70 percent digital literacy by 2027, focusing on key competencies such as data protection and content creation. “Through DL4ALL, Nigerians will learn to navigate the digital space safely and acquire basic troubleshooting skills,” Abdullahi added.

As part of the strategy, the program will target 30 million Nigerians to achieve this 70 percent digital literacy rate. NITDA will train 80 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in each state, who will, in turn, train senior citizens and others in the community. Each of these NYSC members will train 60 individuals every month, aiming to train 600 citizens per state within a 10-month period.

This nationwide effort involves collaboration with the NYSC, state governments, and private sector partners, aiming to provide foundational digital skills to citizens across all 774 local government areas (LGAs) in Nigeria. This broad-based approach is expected to empower Nigerians to thrive in an increasingly digital economy.

Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr. Ayorele Olawande Wisdom, reiterated the government’s commitment to economic revitalization, stating, “President Tinubu’s administration is determined to revamp the nation’s economy, and this initiative provides an opportunity for youths to demonstrate their capabilities.”

Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, praised the federal government for selecting Niger State as a pilot location for the DL4ALL program. He emphasized that “digital literacy is the way forward,” and assured that “Niger State has fully embraced this initiative.”