The Federal Government has renewed its commitment to building a digitally competent public workforce, with a bold target of achieving 95 per cent digital literacy nationwide by 2030.
Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, made this known during the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) awards programme. He explained that the initiative is a key part of efforts to modernise governance and improve service delivery across ministries, departments and agencies. As part of the roadmap, the government aims to reach 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027 as a mid-term benchmark.
Inuwa noted that the DL4ALL programme was introduced to equip civil servants with essential digital skills required in today’s technology-driven work environment. Implemented in partnership with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the programme encountered early setbacks, including limited access to official communication tools for some participants. He, however, said those challenges were resolved through coordinated institutional support.
Giving an update on participation, the NITDA boss revealed that more than 54,000 civil servants have enrolled in the training, representing close to 80 per cent coverage. Over 40 per cent of participants have completed their courses. To encourage active engagement and completion, incentives such as laptops were awarded to top-performing officers.
According to Inuwa, strengthening digital competence within the civil service is not only about improving internal processes but also about boosting national capacity and preparing Nigeria for a knowledge-driven economy. He described collaboration between NITDA and the Office of the Head of Service as central to driving sustainable digital reform.
Also speaking at the event, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, said the awards ceremony served as both recognition of excellence and a progress review of the government’s digital transformation journey. She emphasised that digital proficiency is now essential for effective governance and institutional productivity.
She further revealed plans to transition ministries and extra-ministerial departments to fully paperless operations by December 2025, stressing the need for continuous training to keep pace with changing administrative demands.
Mrs. Walson-Jack announced that 35 civil servants were honoured for outstanding performance under the programme and urged broader participation across all levels of the public service.
The event underscored the government’s broader agenda to integrate digital literacy into public sector reforms, with NITDA reaffirming its role in advancing digital inclusion and strengthening Nigeria’s transition to a technology-driven economy.
