The Federal Government has renewed its commitment to achieving 95% digital literacy across Nigeria by 2030, with an interim milestone of 70% by 2027, as part of a sweeping national effort to reform the economy through technology, innovation, and human capital development.
This was disclosed by the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, during a high-level collaboration meeting with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in Abuja.
Inuwa explained that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s priorities, especially its seventh pillar which focuses on accelerating industrialisation, digitisation, creative arts, manufacturing, and innovation.
“Since 2023, we have worked strategically to align national development with digital empowerment,” he stated. “Digital literacy is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity for global competitiveness.”
Inuwa unveiled the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF), a comprehensive plan designed to guide digital skills development across all levels of society. The framework defines six core areas: device and software usage, information and data literacy, communication, content creation, safety, and problem-solving—ranging from basic to advanced levels.
According to Inuwa, Nigeria’s current digital literacy rate stands at an estimated 50%, a notable increase from 44% in 2021. The agency aims to build on this momentum by integrating digital education into formal curricula across primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions.
He noted that NITDA has partnered with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), UBEC, and other education stakeholders to embed digital literacy into the national school curriculum. Global platforms like Coursera are also supporting teacher training initiatives, including the use of AI tools for scalable lesson development.
Inuwa highlighted the success of projects like the DL4NSUK (Digital Learning for Nasarawa State University), launched in partnership with CISCO, as part of the broader push to equip young Nigerians with globally relevant digital skills.
UBEC Executive Secretary, Hajiya Aisha Garba, acknowledged receipt of the new curriculum and announced that the Commission has begun internal review. While lauding the framework’s ambition, she pointed out the need to simplify content for early learners and address infrastructural and capacity gaps.
“We’re working with SUBEBs to ensure schools are equipped with computers and solar power,” she said. “We want to deliver practical, grassroots-level digital education that makes a lasting difference.”
The meeting concluded with the formation of a joint inter-agency committee to develop a detailed rollout strategy for the digital literacy programme, ensuring that every Nigerian regardless of background has the opportunity to thrive in the digital age.
