In a strategic move to elevate digital skills across Nigeria, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has launched the first phase of its "Digital Literacy for All" (DL4ALL) initiative. Aimed at bridging the digital divide, the program, in collaboration with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), is designed to equip millions of Nigerians with essential digital skills. The initiative, rolled out in 12 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kebbi, Jigawa, and Cross River, marks a critical milestone in Nigeria’s broader goal of achieving 70% digital literacy by 2027. Sensitisation efforts have already begun, focusing on corps members within these states to serve as digital literacy champions in local communities. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, NITDA’s Director-General, described the deployment of youth corps members as a strategic component of the initiative. “These young graduates are uniquely positioned across Nigeria to drive digital literacy in their respective communities, even in the most remote areas,” Abdullahi said. This decentralized model capitalizes on the NYSC’s existing structure to ensure wider access and community engagement. DL4ALL is a cornerstone of NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), which focuses on building a digitally literate society. The initiative is part of a broader national vision to ensure that 95% of Nigerians are digitally literate by 2030, in line with global digital economy trends. The decentralized approach of the DL4ALL program, using corps members as trainers, not only extends the reach of digital skills training but also builds trust within local communities. Trainers, being part of these communities, are positioned to foster deeper engagement. In addition to its digital literacy efforts, NITDA has been involved in other key initiatives, including a 2023 collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Forensic and Certified Fraud Investigator of Nigeria (CIFCFIN) to establish Nigeria’s first cybersecurity laboratory. The agency also disclosed plans to implement blockchain verification for NYSC certificates, aimed at curbing the rising cases of certificate forgery. While updates on the blockchain initiative remain sparse, NITDA’s continued focus on digital infrastructure underscores its commitment to fostering a secure and digitally literate Nigeria.
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