The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is enhancing its partnership with the Voice Of Nigeria (VON) to promote digital literacy and combat fake news. This collaboration aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda to reform the economy through digital transformation.
NITDA Director General Kashifu Inuwa recently hosted a delegation from VON, led by its new Director General, Jibrin Baba Ndace, at NITDA’s headquarters in Abuja. They discussed their joint mission to drive Nigeria’s digital transformation, as outlined in NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (2024-2027). The plan aims to achieve 95% digital literacy by 2030 and establish Nigeria as a leading tech hub.
Inuwa highlighted the importance of digital literacy for safe and responsible use of digital platforms. “As we digitize our economy, we need our citizens to have access and use these digital devices and platforms safely as well as responsibly, and the only way to achieve that is through digital literacy,” he noted.
NITDA is collaborating with the Ministry of Education, the UK government, and GIZ to develop National Digital Literacy Standards. These standards will enable Nigerian youths to obtain certifications from local institutions.
The partnership with VON is crucial for expanding the reach of the government’s transformation goals and countering fake news. Inuwa suggested, “We are thinking of developing content in local languages on TV and radio stations so that we can reach as many people as possible, and I think that is an area of collaboration where we can work together.”
He emphasized the need to publicize the administration’s efforts in poverty alleviation and economic growth, as well as educating the public on safe digital technology use. “We need to effectively publicize the various efforts and policies deployed by the present administration in alleviating poverty and boosting the economic growth of the nation in addition to educating the populace on the safe and responsible use of digital technologies,” Inuwa stated.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the collaboration, Inuwa assured VON of NITDA’s support in digital infrastructure and capacity building. Ndace thanked NITDA for its support and highlighted the Agency’s achievements under Inuwa’s leadership. He called for deeper collaboration to realize the administration’s goals fully.
