The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, has called for an urgent overhaul of the school curriculum to incorporate digital skills at all educational levels.
This move aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to create millions of jobs through digital technologies and achieve a 70% digital literacy rate by 2027.
During a meeting with the management team of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), led by Executive Secretary Professor Janaidu Ismail, Inuwa emphasized the need to adapt to technological advancements. He stated, “We must develop a competency-based, outcome-focused curriculum that addresses 21st-century demands. This will help us build a skilled workforce capable of meeting the needs of the Nigerian market and attracting international investment.”
Furthermore, Inuwa highlighted that government policies related to sustainable development, the digital economy, creative arts, and digital technology play a crucial role in nation-building.
He noted that advancements such as the shift from manual processes to digitalization are central to the new curriculum. These changes will equip citizens with the necessary knowledge and skills for growth and development.
In response, Professor Ismail Janaidu of NERDC acknowledged the importance of integrating digital literacy into the curriculum.
He emphasized that their institution is responsible for curriculum development at all educational levels. Moreover, Janaidu mentioned that the visit aimed to enhance collaboration between NERDC and NITDA, exploring new partnership areas for national development.
Additionally, Janaidu highlighted NERDC’s role in promoting book development, local authorship, educational research, and the development and promotion of Nigerian languages.
Not left out, he praised NITDA’s significant contributions to advancing Information and Communications Technology (ICT) across Nigeria.
Janaidu noted that NITDA’s widespread initiatives have positively impacted growth and development in the ICT sector.
By pioneering these changes, NITDA and NERDC aim to ensure that Nigeria stays competitive in the global digital economy.
This collaborative effort will foster national development and equip the next generation with the skills needed for a digitally-driven future.
