The Federal Government has launched the Digital Literacy for All initiative aimed at bridging the digital gap in Nigeria.
Mr Kashifu Abdullahi, Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), stated this at the launch of the initiative in Minna on Saturday.
He explained that the initiative was designed to accelerate the diversification of Nigeria’s economy and enhance productivity in agriculture, education, and healthcare.
“The President directed the ministry to ensure that every Nigerian is digitally included and digitally literate.
“We developed it by creating a national digital literacy framework aimed at achieving 95 per cent literacy by 2030,” he said.
Abdullahi stated that the President has set a target to achieve 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027, adding that the initiative has six key competency areas.
He said also that the ministry has partnership with the NYSC across 774 local government areas to train 80 corps members as champions from each batch.
Abdullahi said that the Corps members would be trained on digital literacy and equally train other Nigerians in three areas of the initiative.
He said the goal was to train over 30 million Nigerians, particularly those from the informal sector, that would increase the country’s digital proficiency by 2027.
In his remark, Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger, commended the collaborative efforts of NITDA, NYSC, and state governments in promoting digital literacy across Nigeria.
He said that the digital path is the way forward and noted that the state had embraced the Digital Literacy for All initiative.
He said that the state aimed to increase its digital literacy rate to 75 per cent, while striving to become the leading state in digital technology and innovation.
“We have partnered with some financial institutions to establish Nigeria’s first digital hub in collaboration with Cambridge University and the UNDP.
“They are piloting digital literacy innovation, and we are about to launch a major digital innovation programme in Nigeria,” he said.
Brig.-Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed, Director General of the NYSC, stated that the initiative aims to train 30 million Nigerians in the informal sector and rural areas on digital literacy.
Also, Mr Ayodele Olawande, Minister of State for Youth Development, urged youths to trust the current administration’s policies and work together to transform the country.
In his welcome address, Suleiman Isah, Commissioner for Digital Economy in Niger, said that the curriculum for Digital Literacy for All had already been implemented by the Niger State government.
He added that the governor had directed the ministry to ensure that all visually impaired individuals in the state are equipped with digital literacy skills.
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