The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced a renewed commitment to making Nigeria’s digital empowerment initiatives inclusive of the country’s 35 million persons living with disabilities. This move aims to ensure that Nigeria’s ambitious target of 95% digital literacy by 2030 leaves no one behind.
Speaking during a meeting with the Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), a leading disability advocacy group, NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa emphasized the importance of deliberate inclusion in digital training programs. “There is no way we can achieve 95 percent digital inclusion if we exclude 35 million Nigerians,” Inuwa said.
NITDA plans to expand its targeted digital literacy training for persons with disabilities from select pilot locations to a nationwide scale. This aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda for inclusive economic growth and reforms. Inuwa also proposed that people with disabilities be represented on national ICT committees responsible for policymaking, curriculum development, and standards setting. Such representation, he noted, is critical to moving beyond rhetoric and bureaucratic delays.
Further, NITDA intends to integrate disability-focused digital programs into broader initiatives like the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) tech programs and women-focused tech training cohorts. “Our goal is empowerment, not just training, so people can use IT to grow their businesses and improve their lives,” Inuwa added.
Grace Jerry, Executive Director of IFA, welcomed NITDA’s engagement and stressed the urgency of closing the digital divide for persons with disabilities. “Digital literacy is fast becoming a foundational skill for employment, and without deliberate inclusion, millions will be left behind,” she said.
NITDA’s flagship Digital Literacy for All Initiative (DL4ALL) recently launched nationwide, aiming to equip 70% of Nigerians with digital skills by 2027 and 95% by 2030. The program is designed as a national movement to bridge gaps in education, employment, financial access, and online safety.
This inclusive approach signals a significant step toward building a digital economy that benefits all Nigerians, regardless of ability.
