Nigeria’s push for a digitally empowered public sector has gained fresh momentum as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) reports strong outcomes from its Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) Workforce Programme.
Implemented in collaboration with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the initiative has reached an estimated 65 to 75 per cent of federal civil servants, with more than 45,000 workers enrolled in each of the programme’s four core modules.
The courses, spanning digital awareness, computer and mobile device usage, digital communication and collaboration, content creation, and online safety, were designed to build foundational competencies across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). According to the 2025 programme report, enrolment figures ranged between 45,813 and 54,377 participants per module.
Completion rates stood between 38 and 45 per cent, consistent with global benchmarks for voluntary, large-scale online training programmes. Notably, advanced modules recorded higher completion levels, suggesting increased learner commitment and growing digital confidence among participants.
Beyond participation numbers, the report highlights a critical insight: institutional leadership and internal coordination significantly influenced performance outcomes. While larger MDAs such as the Ministries of Education and Defence recorded the highest volume of participants, several smaller agencies achieved completion rates above 70 per cent, a result attributed to proactive ICT leadership, dedicated Digital Literacy Champions, and effective monitoring systems.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service, NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa described the programme as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s governance future. He also acknowledged the agency’s partnership with the Cisco Networking Academy, which has enabled civil servants to access globally recognised digital training at minimal cost.
According to Inuwa, the programme will evolve beyond foundational literacy in 2026, offering progression into specialised areas such as cybersecurity, networking, data analytics, programming, and other emerging technologies.
With the foundational phase completed, NITDA’s next priorities include embedding job-specific digital skills across MDAs, strengthening data-driven monitoring through a national DL4ALL dashboard, institutionalising the Digital Literacy Champion model, and preparing civil servants for certification-ready competencies.
The DL4ALL Workforce Programme aligns with the Federal Government’s target of achieving at least 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027. More importantly, it marks a deliberate shift toward building a modern, technology-driven, and citizen-focused public service capable of meeting the demands of a digital economy.