SHALOM OLALEYE
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in partnership with the National Universities Commission (NUC), is working to establish digital literacy as a compulsory course in all Nigerian universities.
NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, emphasized the importance of the initiative during a visit to the NUC headquarters in Abuja, stating,
With NUC’s support, we can make digital literacy a standard requirement like English and Mathematics, empowering students to navigate and contribute to the digital economy effectively.
Building on the success of the Digital Literacy for All initiative (DL4ALL) at Nasarawa State University, where students earned credits through self-paced learning supported by Cisco, NITDA plans to replicate the model nationwide.
NUC Executive Secretary Chris J. Maiyaki praised the collaboration, calling it a transformative step for higher education.
The rapidity of change in the digital revolution makes a strong case for the Nigerian university system to be part of this transformation, Maiyaki said.
While acknowledging the challenges of digital infrastructure, he reaffirmed the NUC’s commitment to implementing the initiative, adding,
Digital literacy presents huge potential for our universities to enrich research, explore artificial intelligence, and adapt to the demands of the digital economy.