NITDA Promises To Bridge Digital Divide, Improve Digital Literacy In Nigeria

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has declared its commitment to reducing the digital divide, promoting digital literacy, and ensuring fair access to technology for all Nigerians everywhere.

This was said on Thursday in Enugu during a Stakeholders' Engagement and Eco-System Development Programme with the theme: "Creating Opportunities, Breaking Boundaries Towards Digitalization and Entrepreneurial Evolution." Kashifu Abdulahi, the Director-General of NITDA, made the statement.

The genuine test of digital success, according to Abdulahi, who was represented by a Director named Babajide Ajayi, is not simply the development made by a select few but rather the advancement made by all.

He asserted that crucial elements of "our journey as an Agency with a clear-cut mandate" include closing the digital divide, improving digital literacy, and providing equal access to technology.

“NITDA is currently drafting the National Digital Equality Strategy for Women (NDESW), which seeks to ensure equitable access and opportunities in the digital environment, empowering women to fully participate in the digital economy.

“Also, the National Digital Skills Strategy (NDSS) is a strategic road-map that will aid digital literacy and talent development in Nigeria,” he said.

The director-general defined digitalisation as the process through which digital technology permeates every facet of society and significantly alters businesses and ideas.

He explained that digitalisation changes “the way we do business, takes care of our health, educates ourselves, and even governs, adding that it changes things for the better, eliminates obstacles, and creates new chances.”

Regarding the subject, Abdullahi stated that NITDA serves as a guiding light by offering a supportive environment, a framework for collaboration, and a platform that enables all stakeholders to act as change agents.

The Director-General stated that the Stakeholders would have access to the Agency and “our doors are open to partnerships that pave the way for a digitally empowered future”.

“Therefore, we view this meeting as a veritable platform to pool knowledge, experience, and expertise, and to co-create solutions, articulate strategies, and extend our services to all stakeholders, especially at the grassroots.

“Consequently, the objectives of the programme are to offer our stakeholders in the State ICT eco-system the opportunity to express their views and opinions on matters related to the Agency’s implementation of its mandate.

“They also provide an avenue for sensitisation, familiarisation and enhancement of the working relationship between the Agency and the key IT Stakeholders at the state level, and establish a sustainable model of collaborations and consistent channels for feedback and the exchange of ideas,” he said.

A future where possibilities are plentiful, barriers are broken down, and every entrepreneur's vision finds a fertile place to bloom is what the director-general charged the stakeholders with creating.

Gov. Peter Mbah stated in a keynote speech that the present administration had a goal of elevating Enugu State to the top three states in Nigeria, not just in terms of trade, investment, and industry, but also as a digital powerhouse.

Mbah, who was represented by Adaora Chukwu, the Commissioner for Trade, Investment, and Industry, highlighted that NITDA's goal and the state's vision are well aligned.

She also said that NITDA's expertise in fostering a digital Nigeria makes it a great partner for the state.

“We have initiated a series of transformative steps to bolster our digital presence.

“From spearheading e-governance reforms and digitising our Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to introducing our state-of-the-art Data centre, expanding a robust fibre optic network across our state and empowering our youth with essential tech skills, we are charting a course towards a digital renaissance.

“But beyond infrastructure, we are fostering an environment where innovation thrives. Our process automation systems which ensure a Certificate-of-Occupancy generation within 72 hours, is a testament to our commitment to ease of doing business”.

Dr. Micheal Edeh, State Chairman of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Enugu State Chapter, praised NITDA for including technology stakeholders, responding to important inquiries on policy, and fostering connections between stakeholders and NITDA staff.