The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, has reaffirmed that Nigeria’s economic growth and national prosperity hinge on widespread digital literacy, describing it as the bedrock of any thriving digital economy.
Inuwa made this assertion during his presentation titled “Nigeria’s Journey to a Digital Economy” at the BusinessDay CEO Forum held in Lagos, with the theme “From Reforms to Recovery.”
He spotlighted the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative, an ambitious national programme aimed at achieving 70 percent digital literacy by 2027. According to him, the initiative is designed to equip Nigerians across various sectors including schools, offices, marketplaces, and underserved communities with essential digital skills to bridge the digital divide and promote inclusion.
“Digital literacy is the foundation of our digital economy. It is not just about knowing how to use devices or apps it is about empowering people to unlock opportunities for entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic participation,” Inuwa stated.
He explained that DL4ALL utilises mobile literacy campaigns, community-based training hubs, and accessible online platforms to reach Nigerians from all walks of life, ensuring inclusive participation in the modern economy.
“Our goal is simple yet transformative: to ensure every Nigerian, whether in urban or rural areas, has the digital skills required to thrive in the modern economy. A digitally literate nation is a prosperous nation,” he said.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s digital journey, the NITDA DG traced the country’s transformation from 2001, when the first National IT Policy was introduced and NITDA was established. At that time, fewer than 500,000 Nigerians had access to computers and the ICT sector contributed less than 0.5 percent to GDP. Today, over 130 million Nigerians have internet access, and the sector contributes more than 17 percent to the national GDP.
He also recalled the enactment of the NITDA Act in 2007, the policy shift in 2012 that integrated ICT into daily life, and the turning point in 2019 when Nigeria began leveraging digital technology for national development, ushering in the digital economy era.
Inuwa noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda prioritises digital innovation as a key driver of economic diversification, focusing on critical areas such as industrialisation, digitisation, creative arts, manufacturing, and technological innovation.
“Technology is not just an enabler; it is a driving force behind achieving our national goals. Whether in agriculture, healthcare, education, oil and gas, or finance, technology plays a pivotal role in transforming sectors and simplifying lives,” he said.
He emphasised that economic reform must be viewed as a continuous process of innovation and improvement, not a destination. “Reforming the economy to deliver sustained, inclusive growth is not about reaching a finish line. It is a constant journey of improvement,” he added.
Inuwa concluded by stressing that NITDA’s strategic framework is built on deliberate and actionable strategies aimed at building an inclusive, resilient, and prosperous economy for all Nigerians. He noted that Nigeria’s future success in the global digital economy depends heavily on how well its citizens are equipped with the right digital skills.
“If we get this right, we will not only create jobs and drive innovation but also secure Nigeria’s place as a leader in the global digital economy,” he affirmed.
