The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is on a mission to significantly expand digital literacy in Nigeria. With a target to reach 95% coverage by 2030, NITDA is actively collaborating with development partners to bring this vision to life.
During a meeting with e-health Africa, NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, emphasized the agency’s dedication to this goal. He highlighted the importance of teamwork in implementing digital initiatives that will have a widespread impact on Nigerians.
NITDA is leading the charge in executing seven out of the nine strategic plans unveiled by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy. Inuwa stressed the crucial role of collaboration with relevant bodies and experts to ensure successful policy implementation and expedite results for the country’s overall development.
“The seventy percent national digital literacy coverage by 2027 would be a litmus test for the ambitious 95% digital literacy coverage by 2030,” Inuwa stated. He outlined the Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan as the foundation for building a resilient tech ecosystem that will strengthen the nation’s pursuit of sustainable economic development.
NITDA is working with partners like GIZ, the UK government, and the Federal Ministry of Education to revise its curriculum for learning digital skills, facilitating Nigeria’s digital transformation. Inuwa highlighted the importance of focusing on in-demand skills to build a viable tech ecosystem and address Nigeria’s digital illiteracy issues.
The agency is tasked with implementing various programs, including AI, Blockchain, IoT, the Nigerian Start-up Act, Data Strategy, and the Digital Economy Bill. Inuwa expressed the need for collaboration with e-health Africa to implement these programs for the betterment of the country.
NITDA is also investing in research and capacity building, fostering collaborations with academia, startups, and non-governmental organizations. The agency is working with the Ministry to implement the 3 Million Tech Talents (3MTT) initiative, addressing the IT gap through interventions like learning centers.
To overcome fears associated with IT and digital services, Inuwa outlined internal reforms, ensuring a psychologically safe environment, organisational excellence, cultural reorientation, automation of government processes, and changing citizens’ mindset for swift adoption of digital innovations.
Abdulhamid Yahaya, leading the visiting team from e-health Africa, stated that their visit was to formally intimate their activities and seek robust collaboration in implementing the National e-health policy. He assured that e-Health Africa is ready and committed to working with NITDA and any other relevant organization to actualize the dreams of the entire Nigerian citizenry.
