The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in line with its mission to foster inclusive economic growth and achieve the presidential goal of equipping 70% of Nigerians with digital literacy by 2027, has launched the Digital Literacy for All Initiative (DL4ALL) at Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK). Through this initiative, digital literacy will be integrated into the university’s curriculum to ensure students achieve digital proficiency before graduation.
The launch, a collaboration between NITDA, CISCO, and NSUK, is a key step in actualizing NITDA’s National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF), which seeks to prepare students across all educational levels to thrive in a digital economy.
During the launch event, NITDA Director General Kashifu Inuwa CCIE highlighted this milestone as a collective achievement of industry, academia, and government. “This initiative strengthens our ecosystem by bringing the industry, academia, and government together to build a digitally literate society,” he remarked.
Inuwa emphasized that, with support from Cisco and NITDA’s frameworks, Nigeria can produce digitally proficient graduates ready for the workforce, not just degree holders. He noted that addressing global talent shortages—projected to reach 85 million by 2030 according to the World Economic Forum—presents a significant opportunity for Nigeria to position itself as a key player in bridging this gap.
The DG underscored the importance of developing a digitally skilled workforce as a pillar of Nigeria’s economic transformation, aligning with the president’s directive to drive growth through technology. “Digital literacy is now essential, as it empowers individuals to participate economically, financially, and socially in today’s interconnected world,” he added.
Inuwa detailed the competencies outlined in NITDA’s National Digital Literacy Framework, which include device and software operation, data literacy, collaboration, digital content creation, safety, and problem-solving. These skills will enable students to use technology safely and effectively, create content, manage data, and collaborate with peers at other institutions. Through the DL4ALL initiative, NITDA aims to build a digitally savvy population across all sectors, reflecting the pervasive nature of information technology.
The launch at NSUK aligns with Nigeria’s vision for digital sovereignty by empowering students to secure jobs or start their own businesses through entrepreneurship programs that encourage innovation and self-reliance before graduation. “With technology, the only limit is your imagination,” Inuwa encouraged students, urging them to leverage technology for boundless innovation.
NSUK Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sadaatu Hassan Liman, praised the partnership between NITDA and the university as transformative, noting that the DL4ALL initiative will empower students with essential digital skills to succeed globally. She added, “This integration of cutting-edge technology into our academic programs will provide our students and staff with critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovative mindsets essential for the digital age.”
The event concluded with the unveiling of the DL4ALL emblem at NSUK, marking the university’s commitment to fostering digital literacy and setting a precedent for other institutions. The emblem symbolizes the initiative’s role in positioning NSUK as a regional leader in digital education and emerging technologies, opening new opportunities for students and faculty alike.
