The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has strengthened its collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) as part of ongoing efforts to accelerate Nigeria’s digital development and deepen inclusive access to information and communication technologies.
This followed a courtesy visit to NITDA headquarters in Abuja by the Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, who was accompanied by the ITU Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Emmanuel Manasseh. The delegation was received on behalf of NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, by the Director of Corporate Planning and Strategy, Dr. Warowei Dimie, alongside other directors of the Agency.
Speaking from NITDA’s perspective, Dr. Dimie reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the ITU, describing the organisation’s global experience as a valuable resource for accelerating Nigeria’s digital transformation. He noted that access to tested solutions and international best practices would support NITDA’s efforts to localise effective digital development models that address Nigeria’s unique socio-economic realities.
Digital skills development and capacity building featured prominently in the discussions, with Dr. Dimie highlighting Nigeria’s ambitious target of achieving 70 per cent digital literacy nationwide by next year. He explained that NITDA has already recorded encouraging progress through strategic partnerships with the private sector, development partners, and other key stakeholders.
The adoption of the National Digital Literacy Framework was identified as a major milestone in NITDA’s drive to institutionalise digital skills development. According to the Agency, the framework provided a structured, inclusive, and nationally coordinated approach to equipping citizens with relevant digital competencies across different age groups and socio-economic segments.
Dr. Dimie also drew attention to the persistent challenge of limited connectivity in rural and underserved communities, noting that NITDA is prioritising targeted interventions to bridge the digital divide. These included grassroots digital training initiatives and the deployment of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members as digital literacy ambassadors to extend digital awareness and skills to the community level.
From NITDA’s standpoint, sustained collaboration with the ITU is critical to strengthening broadband access, enhancing cybersecurity resilience, and improving regulatory alignment within Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. The Agency welcomed ITU’s continued technical support in areas such as broadband infrastructure mapping, cybersecurity capacity building, and digital innovation.
Dr. Dimie noted Nigeria’s participation in several global initiatives facilitated by the ITU as evidence of the country’s growing engagement in international digital cooperation. These include Nigeria’s inclusion among 11 sub-Saharan African countries benefiting from the €15 million ITU–European Commission broadband infrastructure mapping and modelling project, as well as participation in global cybersecurity drills organised by the ITU in partnership with the United Arab Emirates, which attracted more than 136 countries in the last edition.
The courtesy visit, NITDA stated, underscored the importance of strong partnerships between national agencies and international development institutions in advancing digital inclusion, innovation, and sustainable development.
The Agency reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the ITU to ensure that Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda delivers inclusive growth, enhanced competitiveness, and tangible socio-economic benefits for citizens across the country.
