The CAL-MAJ Foundation has commended the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) for its sustained investment in digital education, describing the agency’s nine-year ICT intervention in Kogi State as a transformative initiative that has expanded learning opportunities and digital inclusion in an underserved community.
The commendation came during a courtesy visit by the Foundation’s Executive Director, Ms. Faith Ayegba, and her delegation to NITDA headquarters in Abuja, where they expressed appreciation for the agency’s continued support while calling for deeper collaboration to further strengthen digital skills development.
According to Ayegba, NITDA partnered with the CAL-MAJ Foundation in 2017 to establish a Knowledge Access Centre at Asma’u Community Academy in Unyi-Ogugu, Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State. The centre was equipped with computers and internet connectivity, eliminating the need for students to travel long distances to neighbouring states to access digital learning facilities.
She disclosed that the Foundation has since provided access to basic education for more than 1,000 children, citing the success story of beneficiary John Ojodale Joseph, who progressed from the community school to university after acquiring practical computer skills at the centre.
Ayegba explained that the digital literacy training, including proficiency in Microsoft Word, assisted Joseph in preparing for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and later enabled him to earn income by helping fellow students with academic assignments.
“The intervention was a game-changer and an equaliser for a community that still lacks basic amenities such as functional water systems,” she said.
She urged NITDA to strengthen the existing partnership by introducing Train-the-Trainer programmes in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, replacing ageing equipment, and integrating the community into the agency’s broader digital economy initiatives.
Responding, Mr. Olawumi Olatunji, Director of Digital Development Services at NITDA, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to advancing digital literacy under the National Digital Literacy Framework, which targets schools, farmers and artisans across the country.
Olatunji expressed readiness to engage further with the Foundation on the proposed Train-the-Trainer initiative and curriculum alignment to enhance digital capacity building.
He, however, noted that sustaining internet connectivity across more than 1,700 digital centres nationwide remains a funding challenge and requested documented evidence of the project’s impact to support future interventions and resource allocation.
The engagement highlighted the importance of sustained public-private partnerships in bridging Nigeria’s digital divide and expanding access to technology and digital opportunities in rural communities.
