The Nigerian Federal Government has made a promising commitment to foster inclusivity within its burgeoning digital economy by targeting 35 million Nigerians with disabilities. Spearheading this initiative, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) aims to bridge the significant digital divide faced by persons with special needs, ensuring that they are not left behind in the country’s rapid technological advancements. Kashifu Inuwa, the Director-General of NITDA, emphasized that achieving widespread digital inclusion would be impossible without deliberately integrating the needs of this sizable demographic into national programs. He noted that while the agency has historically provided targeted training for people with disabilities, these efforts are now being expanded into a nationwide effort. This includes adapting infrastructure, revising recruitment policies, and actively involving disability advocates in policymaking processes, all aimed at making digital initiatives more accessible and effective.
Inuwa underscored the importance of including representatives from the disability community in national ICT standards, training curricula, and policy development committees. Such involvement is seen as crucial in overcoming bureaucratic barriers and ensuring that implementation is genuinely inclusive. The agency also plans to incorporate considerations for persons with disabilities into existing initiatives, such as the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) tech programs, women’s tech training cohorts, and various technology conferences. The overarching goal is not merely to train but to empower, using IT as a tool to enable persons with disabilities to expand their businesses, improve their livelihoods, and participate fully in Nigeria’s digital transformation.
The initiative has received positive reinforcement from advocacy groups, with Grace Jerry, the Executive Director of the Inclusive Friends Association, calling for a more deliberate approach in ensuring representation from women with disabilities in northern Nigeria in ongoing policy reviews. She emphasized that digital literacy is rapidly becoming a foundational skill essential for employment and socioeconomic advancement. Without focused inclusion strategies, she warned, millions of Nigerians with disabilities risk being excluded from the opportunities that digital growth can provide.
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