*The National Information Technology Development Agency restates its commitment to advancing inclusive digital transformation, especially among displaced population in Nigeria

Alexander Davis | 绿帽献妻

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), through new IT equipment and customised digital literacy programmes, has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing inclusive digital transformation, particularly among displaced population in Nigeria.

Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of NITDA, disclosed this development during a strategic engagement with the leadership of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) at the agency Corporate Headquarters, in Abuja, FCT.

Inuwa, at the meeting, highlighted the productive partnership NITDA and NCFRMI have cultivated over the years through staff training and ICT support.

The Director-General of the agency also announced plans to “reactivate and scale up this collaboration by supplying new IT equipment and introducing customised digital literacy programmes in resettlement cities.”

The Information Technology sector regulatory agency stated the initiative aligns with its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2024鈥�2027).

NITDA’s SRAP document aims to achieve 70 percent digital literacy nationwide by 2027, a central pillar of the Federal Government鈥檚 digital economy agenda.

Outlining NITDA’s renewed efforts include several key strategies: Establishing community-based digital learning centres with shared devices; Deploying trained National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to deliver ICT training in resettlement camps; and Providing ICT infrastructure tailored to the unique needs of each community.

Inuwa further noted that NITDA is partnering with an international organisation to deploy innovative tech hubs within Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps across the Federal Capital Territory.

He equally emphasised the need for a formalised workstream between both agencies to conduct joint needs assessments in resettlement cities and camps, design and deliver customised interventions for each community, and develop a scalable, replicable model for nationwide adoption.

This collaboration is crucial for scaling impact and reaching more Nigerians in need, aligning with President Bola Tinubu鈥檚 Renewed Hope Agenda, Inuwa stated.

Speaking during the strategic engagement, Hon. Tijani Aliyu Ahmed, Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI, commended NITDA鈥檚 leadership in driving national development.

Ahmed said that Nigeria currently hosts over 6.1 million internally displaced persons due to insecurity, insurgency, and natural disasters, with over 125,000 Nigerians also seeking refuge in neighboring countries.

He also emphasised that as the Federal Government is addressing these challenges, deeper partnerships are essential to empower vulnerable populations in the country.

Commissioner Ahmed stressed that the partnership extends beyond digital tools, aiming to restore dignity and opportunity.

Strengthening host communities by improving access to clean water, rehabilitated schools, and healthcare services is also a goal, said he.

It noted that resettlement cities have already been developed in Kano, Borno, Zamfara, Katsina, and Daura, with a new site in Keffi, Nasarawa State, which houses over 40 households.

These centres provide homes, healthcare facilities, markets, schools, vocational training hubs, and agricultural land to empower displaced persons to rebuild their lives.

The Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI stated: 鈥淒igital literacy is now a vital component of empowerment.

“With initiatives like JAMB鈥檚 shift to Computer-Based Testing, we must ensure that displaced children and youth acquire the ICT skills needed to thrive in today鈥檚 world.”

Ahmed averred: 鈥淲e are fully committed to working with NITDA to ensure no Nigerian child is left behind.鈥�

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