*The National Information Technology Development Agency launches the pilot phase of its Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative with the deployment of the National Youth Service Corps members in 12 states of the Federation and FCT, as trainers to equip every Nigerian with basic digital skills necessary to thrive in the modern, technology-driven world

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

In its bid to realise its outlined objective of attaining 70 percent digital literacy for all Nigerians by 2027, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has launched the first phase of the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative with the deployment of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in 12 states of the Federation and Abuja, FCT, as trainers.

绿帽献妻 reports the Information Technology (IT) sector regulatory agency affirmed this initiative aims to equip every Nigerian citizen with basic digital skills necessary to thrive in the modern, technology-driven world.

Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of NITDA (2nd left); and Brig.-Gen. Y.D. Ahmed, Director-General of NYSC (middle), at a collaborative meeting, in Abuja

The digital literacy programme will enable citizens to access more opportunities, contribute to national development, add value to the economy, and secure a brighter future.

NITDA, June 2024, had announced a strategic partnership with the NYSC after a meeting between Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of the agency, and Brig.-Gen. Y.D. Ahmed, Director-General of NYSC, in Abuja, FCT.

Speaking on the partnership, Inuwa affirmed the agency鈥檚 partnership with NYSC aligns with the former鈥檚 Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0).

According to NITDA, SRAP 2.0 is aimed at fostering digital literacy and cultivating talents through activation of the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) Initiative.

The Director-General of NITDA also noted the collaboration aims to leverage the extensive reach of the NYSC to deepen digital literacy.

鈥淲e developed the National Digital Literacy Framework with an ambitious target of achieving 95% digital literacy by 2030, with a mid-term target of 70% by 2027.

鈥淥ur target is how can we leverage your platform to deepen that digital literacy,鈥� Inuwa said.

Implementation of pilot phase of programme in 11 states, FCT

Already, the first phase of the programme has been activated in 12 states of the Federation, including Kebbi, Jigawa, Yobe, Gombe, Kwara, Ekiti, Osun, Cross River, Bayelsa, Abia and Ebonyi States, as well as Abuja, FCT.

In the listed states for the pilot phase, 鈥渃amp sensitisation lectures are underway, introducing Corps members and local communities to the goals of the Digital Literacy for All Programme,鈥� stated the IT agency.

NITDA also noted the DL4ALL initiative is in consonance with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration鈥檚 priority of accelerating diversification through industrialisation, digitisation, creative arts, manufacturing, and innovation.

Strategy, objectives of DL4ALL programme in Nigeria

As a practical measure towards realising the goals of the initiative, the agency has said a key component of DL4ALL is the strategic partnership with the NYSC, which aims to leverage the youthful energy and reach of Corps members across the West African country.

During the mandatory National Service, the young graduates, who are usually deployed to the 36 states and 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) are expected to serve as 鈥楥hampions鈥� during their service year, provide training and sensitisation on digital skills in the communities of their primary assignment.

The mass digital literacy programme will adapt the existing NYSC structure to kick-start nationwide sensitisation and skill-building.

It is also noted that Corps members will be instrumental in delivering digital literacy training, ensuring that every corner of the country is touched by the programme with a view to attaining the ambitious goal of 70 percent digital literacy of all Nigerians by 2027.

According to NITDA, this decentralised approach to implementation of the DL4ALL initiative would ensure that the message and benefits of digital literacy will be received by the citizenry even in the most remote areas.

These efforts are aimed at creating a ripple effect, where the knowledge imparted during the sensitisation camps will spread through local communities and beyond.

Deployment of Corps members for DL4ALL training in communities

Stressing the strategic importance of deploying serving Corps members for the success of the DL4ALL progress across the country, NITDA has noted the need to ensure that every corner of the country is touched by the programme.

The IT sector regulatory agency further said the initiative would equip every Nigerian citizen with the 鈥渂asic digital skills鈥� necessary to thrive in today鈥檚 technology-driven world in active partnership with the NYSC to 鈥渓everage the energy and reach of Corps members nationwide.鈥�

It stated: 鈥淭hese young graduates, stationed in various parts of Nigeria, will serve as Champions during their Service year, providing training and sensitisation on digital skills within the communities they serve.

鈥淭he programme will use the existing NYSC structure to kick-start nationwide sensitisation and skill-building.鈥�

NITDA equally noted: 鈥淐orps members will be instrumental in delivering digital literacy training, ensuring that every corner of the country is touched by the programme.鈥�

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