SHALOM OLALEYE
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has joined forces with the Ministry of Education to integrate digital literacy into Nigeria’s education system.
This partnership was announced during a courtesy visit by NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, to the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa.
The future is digital, and the world is evolving faster than ever, said Inuwa. If we are to prepare our youth for tomorrow’s challenges, we must begin with today’s education. This collaboration with the Ministry of Education is a bold step toward ensuring that no Nigerian child is left behind in this journey toward global competitiveness and innovation.
The initiative aims to embed digital literacy from kindergarten to tertiary education, with the short-term goal of achieving 70% digital literacy by 2030 and a long-term target of 95%.
Dr. Alausa praised NITDA’s forward-thinking approach, emphasizing the transformative potential of the initiative.
Education remains the foundation upon which national development is built, he noted. We are ready to partner with relevant stakeholders to embed digital literacy into our educational framework and empower our children with the tools and skills they need to not only adapt to change but to drive it.
Key collaborators include CISCO, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), the National Universities Commission (NUC), and the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEC).
The initiative involves developing curricula, training teachers, and deploying state-of-the-art digital tools across schools. It also seeks to bridge regional disparities, ensuring equal access to digital resources in underserved areas. By creating a technology-driven educational ecosystem, NITDA and its partners aim to empower students to innovate and lead in a digital-first world.
This effort is not just about literacy; it’s about creating a generation of leaders and innovators who can redefine Nigeria’s role in the global economy, said Inuwa.