The National Digital Literacy Technical Working Group (NDL-TWG) has said the recently launched Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative would help in bridging the gaps limiting technology adoption , job creation and unlocking the vast potentials of Nigerian youths.
Chairman of the Technical Working Group and President of Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), David Daser who spoke at the inaugural meeting of the group held on Tuesday in Abuja, added that the Initiative was a big step towards achieving 95 percent digital literacy for all by the year 2030 in Nigeria.
Daser who described the inclusion of digital literacy as a cornerstone of the Renewed Hope agenda, commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister for Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, for their unwavering commitment to advancing Nigeria’s digital economy and fostering widespread digital literacy.
He said: “The inclusion of digital literacy as a cornerstone of the Renewed Hope agenda underscores a profound understanding of its critical role in national development, empowering our citizens, and positioning Nigeria for a prosperous future in the global digital landscape.
“This strategic focus is not merely about technology adoption; it is about human capacity building, job creation, and unlocking the vast potential within our vibrant populace.”
While highlighting that the nation has grappled with a significant digital literacy gap, Daser regretted that while individual initiatives to address these challenges have sprung up across the country, their fragmented nature, coupled with persistent infrastructure challenges and inconsistent data collection, has hindered our collective progress.
The DBI boss in a statement signed by the Head, Public Affairs DBI, , Akin Ogunlade, warned that in today’s rapidly evolving global economy, digital literacy was no longer a luxury but a fundamental necessity, a gateway to economic prosperity, social inclusion, and enhanced governance.
According to him, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) launched the Digital Literacy for All initiative to address this critical challenge. The NDL-TWG emerges as a strategic and unified response to ensure that the noble aspirations of the initiative and the comprehensive Nigeria Digital Literacy Framework are not just concepts, but lived realities for every Nigerian.
“Our mandate, therefore, is clear and compelling: we are tasked with coordinating, standardizing, and scaling digital literacy initiatives nationwide. This involves a meticulous approach to harmonize existing programs, identify and bridge the infrastructure gaps that impede access, and establish robust, consistent data practices to accurately measure our progress. We must ensure that our efforts are cohesive, efficient, and impactful, reaching every corner of our vast and diverse nation.
“The ultimate vision driving our work is Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to achieving 95% digital literacy by the year 2030. This is not merely an ambitious target; it is a declaration of our intent to build a future where every Nigerian, regardless of age, gender, or location, possesses the essential digital skills to thrive in the 21st century. It is about empowering our citizens, boosting our economy, and fostering a society that can fully harness the transformative power of technology.”
The DBI boss urged the group to pool resources, share expertise, and unite under a common purpose, committ to fostering an environment where innovation flourishes, best practices are shared, and every stakeholder plays a vital role in the national endeavor.
“This journey will demand unprecedented collaboration from government agencies, the private sector, academia, civil society organizations, and indeed, every Nigerian who understands the imperative of digital inclusion. We
“I urge all of us to approach this task with dedication, foresight, and a deep understanding of the profound impact our success will have on the lives of millions. Together, we will dismantle the barriers to digital access, cultivate a culture of continuous learning, and lay a strong foundation for a truly digitally literate Nigeria.
“The time for fragmented efforts is over. The dawn of a unified, strategic approach to digital literacy is upon us. Let us seize this moment, and together, build a brighter, digitally empowered future for our beloved nation.”
The Executive Secretary, Nigeria Board of Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, described the initiative as a very smart move by the government, the ministry and agencies involved and other stakeholders in the eco-system
He assured that NBTE was ready to support the initiative and give all necessary contributions to the success of the technical working group, adding that the importance cannot be overemphasized, citing the NBTE has thrived after adopting digital technology in its process.
“The NBTE has already embrace the digital technology. We are trying our best, even in our accreditation today we are doing it digitally. No physical accreditation, and this has reduced cost, it has ensured security of our staff, it has also addressed the so-called Nigeria factors in accreditation. That has also been addressed by digital technology because the human interface has been removed completely. You submit your forms online, you upload all the data needed and you are accessed online. If you meet the requirements, you shall receive a letter approving your accreditation.
“Besides that, we are also linking up all our polytechnic to a common digital database whereby all data on students, staff and others issues are uploaded and we can access them in the NBTE. The Federal Ministry of Education also has access. I hope this can be extended to other agencies, not only the Ministry of Education so that we can have a digitalized eco-system in Nigeria.”
