By Joy Onuorah
Nigeria’s digital future must be inclusive, this was the message from Kashifu Inuwa, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), at the inauguration of Quality Education and Girl Child Initiatives (Luminah 2030).
Speaking at the Federal Secretariat Complex, Inuwa emphasized the urgent need to empower women through digital literacy.
He highlighted that while women make up nearly half of Nigeria’s population, they represent less than 20% of the STEM workforce.
“When you educate a man, you educate an individual, but when you educate a woman, you educate a nation,” he stated, reinforcing the link between gender parity in technology and economic growth.
*Education as a Catalyst for Inclusion*
The Luminah Girl Child Initiative, part of the broader Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) for Renewed Hope, is tackling the challenge of out-of-school children with a strong focus on young girls.
It prioritizes six key areas:
1. STEM-M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences).
2. Technical and Vocational Education and Traininge (TVET)
3. Girl Child education
5. Date and Digitalization
6. Education Quality Assurance
NITDA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Women Affairs, is embedding digital skills into the national curriculum from primary schools to universities.
However, Inuwa pointed out that real change extends beyond formal education.
Key initiatives include:
Training women in markets, religious centers, and motor parks in digital literacy
Partnering with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to reach grassroots communities
Aligning with President Bola wwwwAhmed Tinubu’s vision of a $1 trillion digital economy.
“Imagine leaving 50% of your population out of the digital revolution. That’s not just unfair, it’s disastrous,” Inuwa warned.
*A Collective Effort for a Digital Future*
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, reinforced this vision by inaugurating 10 committees under Quality Education and Learning and Luminah 2030, urging members to commit to action.
Other dignitaries at the event included Minister of Women Affairs, H.E. Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, and Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad.
With these efforts, Nigeria is not just talking about inclusion. it’s actively building a future where no woman or girl is left behind in the digital economy.
