SHALOM OLALEYE
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with technology company CISCO, has launched a new digital literacy initiative at Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) as part of the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF).
Named the “Digital Literacy For All Initiative” (DL4ALL), this program aims to integrate digital literacy into the university curriculum, supporting the national goal of equipping 70% of Nigerians with digital skills by 2027.
The DL4ALL program, which builds on the NDLF, includes core competencies like digital content creation, data management, and cybersecurity. These skills are expected to help students at NSUK and other institutions safely and efficiently use technology for problem-solving, collaboration, and communication, stated NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa.
He emphasized that the goal is to produce graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also digitally skilled and marketable. He cited World Economic Forum projections, noting that by 2030, a global talent shortage could result in $8.5 trillion in unrealized revenue.
Africa and Nigeria, in particular, have a unique opportunity to fill this gap by nurturing a digitally savvy workforce, he added.
NSUK’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sadaatu Hassan Liman, noted that the DL4ALL program will position NSUK as a leader in information and communications technology, benefiting students and the broader community. The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of the DL4ALL emblem at NSUK, marking a significant step towards achieving a digitally empowered Nigeria.