The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has underscored the importance of human capital development as a cornerstone for Nigeria’s economic growth and global competitiveness.
He made this known while hosting a delegation from the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education at NITDA’s headquarters in Abuja, where discussions centred on expanding access to education and digital skills across underserved populations.
Inuwa noted that Nigeria’s rapidly growing and youthful population presents a strategic advantage, especially at a time when many developed countries are grappling with ageing populations and shrinking labour forces. He explained that by 2030, global demand for digital and technical skills is expected to far exceed supply, positioning Nigeria to fill a critical gap in the global workforce.
“With deliberate investment in education and digital capacity, Nigeria can convert its population strength into a driver of economic expansion and international relevance,” he stated.
He further highlighted Nigeria’s potential to evolve into a global hub for talent development and export, emphasizing that Nigerians in the diaspora should be seen as valuable contributors to national development through remittances, skills exchange, and global networks. According to him, diaspora contributions remain a vital and consistent source of foreign exchange for the country.
Drawing parallels with India’s success story, Inuwa pointed out that sustained investment in human capital has enabled the country to produce globally recognised technology leaders. He stressed that Nigeria can replicate similar outcomes through structured talent development and strategic global positioning.
Addressing the challenge of out-of-school children, he emphasized that equipping millions of underserved youths with digital skills could unlock vast economic opportunities while helping to close the global talent gap.
Central to this vision is NITDA’s National Digital Literacy Framework, which aims to achieve 95 percent digital literacy across Nigeria by 2030. The framework covers key competencies including device usage, data and information literacy, digital content creation, online safety, digital marketing, and problem-solving.
Inuwa also highlighted the transformative impact of digital skills on key sectors. He noted that farmers can leverage technology and data-driven insights to improve productivity, while small and medium-scale enterprises can expand their market reach and increase revenue through digital platforms.
As part of implementation efforts, he unveiled the “Digital Literacy for All” initiative, targeting students, public sector workers, and individuals in the informal economy. He added that NITDA is actively collaborating with international partners to train civil servants and enhance institutional efficiency.
Reaffirming the agency’s commitment to inclusive development, Inuwa disclosed plans to partner with the Almajiri Commission to establish digital learning centres, design training programmes in local languages, and deploy instructors to Almajiri schools nationwide.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the commission, Muhammad Sani Idris, commended NITDA for its proactive role in advancing digital literacy, describing the initiative as critical to addressing Nigeria’s education deficit.
He expressed concern over the rising number of out-of-school children and the decline of the traditional Almajiri system, which was originally structured to provide Qur’anic education. He noted that years of socio-economic challenges have weakened the system, leaving many children vulnerable to neglect, exploitation, and insecurity.
Idris called for a coordinated national response involving government agencies, communities, and development partners to tackle the crisis, noting that the Almajiri system extends beyond Nigeria’s borders and requires collaborative solutions.
He also expressed optimism about strengthening partnerships with NITDA, emphasizing that digital innovation can play a pivotal role in expanding access to education and creating sustainable opportunities for millions of Nigerian children.
