NITDA and NUC Collaborate to Make Digital Literacy a General Course in Nigerian Universities

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Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa (middle); Perm l. Secretary, Dr. Nasir Sani Gwarzo (right); DG NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE (left) shortly after the meeting.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is collaborating with the National Universities Commission (NUC) to embed digital literacy as a mandatory general course in all Nigerian universities. The announcement was made by NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, during a courtesy visit to the NUC headquarters in Abuja.

This initiative builds on the success of the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) program piloted at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, where digital literacy was introduced as a credit-earning course supported by Cisco. The collaboration with the NUC marks a significant milestone in preparing Nigerian students to thrive in the global digital economy.

Inuwa highlighted the urgency of equipping students with digital skills as part of Nigeria’s broader digital transformation agenda. “We aim to achieve 70% digital literacy by 2027 and 95% by 2030. Embedding digital literacy as a general course in universities is a sustainable solution to achieve this target,” he said.

The initiative is part of NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), which prioritizes fostering digital literacy and cultivating talent among its eight pillars. By making digital skills a standard requirement alongside English and Mathematics, the program seeks to empower students to effectively navigate and contribute to the digital economy.

Inuwa also emphasized the critical role of universities in driving research and addressing national challenges. He stressed the importance of aligning education with industry demands, particularly through frameworks like the Nigerian Start-Up Act, which nurtures entrepreneurial ecosystems. “Universities are critical stakeholders, and research is the foundation of any robust economy. With NUC’s support, we can build a technology research ecosystem that prepares students as job creators rather than job seekers,” he said.

Executive Secretary of the NUC, Chris J. Maiyaki, commended the initiative and reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to digital transformation within Nigeria’s university system. He underscored the importance of integrating digital literacy into curricula to keep pace with the rapid advancements of the digital revolution.

“The rapidity of change in the digital revolution makes a strong case for the Nigerian university system to be part of this transformation. Digital literacy is one resource with profound impact; you can hardly function today without significant technological skills,” Maiyaki remarked.

While acknowledging the challenges of inadequate digital infrastructure in universities, Maiyaki expressed optimism about the partnership’s potential to transform higher education. “This initiative presents huge potential for our university system to key into the rapidly expanding digital landscape. Using digital platforms to enrich our research ecosystem and exploring artificial intelligence can revolutionize higher education,” he added.

The partnership underscores the federal government’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and positioning Nigeria as a global talent hub, empowering students to lead in an increasingly digital world.


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NITDA and NUC Collaborate to Embed Digital Literacy in Nigerian Universities

Mon Dec 9 , 2024
Share, like and Comment The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is partnering with the National Universities Commission (NUC) to integrate digital literacy as a general course across all Nigerian universities. The announcement was made by NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, during a courtesy visit to the NUC […]

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