Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to digital literacy as a core pillar of economic transformation, social inclusion, and national prosperity.
Speaking at the BusinessDay CEO Forum in Lagos, themed “From Reforms to Recovery,” Inuwa delivered a compelling presentation titled “Nigeria’s Journey to a Digital Economy,” highlighting how technology, innovation, and skills acquisition will shape the country’s future.
Okay.ng reports that the NITDA boss spotlighted the agency’s ambitious Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) Initiative, which aims to achieve 70 percent digital literacy among Nigerians by 2027. The program, he explained, targets citizens from schools, workplaces, marketplaces, and underserved communities—leveraging mobile campaigns, community hubs, and digital platforms to deliver essential digital skills across all demographics.
“Digital literacy is the foundation of our digital economy,” Inuwa stated. “It’s not just about using devices—it’s about unlocking opportunities for entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic empowerment.”
Tracing Nigeria’s digital journey from the introduction of the National IT Policy in 2001 to the evolution of ICT’s contribution from under 0.5% to over 17% of GDP today, Inuwa pointed to decades of deliberate reform, including the NITDA Act of 2007, the policy shift in 2012 to mainstream ICT, and the emergence of the digital economy era in 2019.
He described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda as a policy blueprint that prioritises technology as a driver of economic diversification, industrialisation, creative economy, innovation, and digital governance.
“Technology is not just an enabler—it is the driving force,” he said. “Whether in agriculture, health, energy, finance, or education, digital tools are revolutionising how we solve problems and improve lives.”
Inuwa stressed that reform must be seen as a continuous journey, not a one-time destination.
“Reforming the economy is not about a finish line. It’s about constant adaptation, innovation, and improvement,” he told the business leaders in attendance.
He outlined NITDA’s eight strategic pillars for driving Nigeria’s digital transformation:
- Foster digital literacy and talent cultivation
- Build a robust tech research ecosystem
- Strengthen policy and legal frameworks
- Promote inclusive access to digital infrastructure
- Enhance cybersecurity and digital trust
- Nurture innovation and entrepreneurship
- Forge strategic partnerships
- Create a dynamic and agile workforce at NITDA
“These are not abstract goals. They are concrete strategies aimed at building an inclusive and resilient economy where all Nigerians can thrive,” Inuwa said. “If we succeed in empowering our people with digital skills, Nigeria will not only create jobs and drive innovation, but also lead the global digital economy.”
The forum drew participation from top CEOs, policy leaders, and innovators across sectors, as stakeholders reflected on the challenges and opportunities presented by the nation’s digital future.
