As part of efforts to reform Nigeria’s economy and enhance digital literacy, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has launched the Digital Literacy For All Initiative (DL4ALL) at Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK).
The initiative, in collaboration with CISCO and NSUK, aims to incorporate digital literacy into the university’s curriculum, contributing to the presidential goal of equipping 70% of Nigerians with digital skills by 2027.
The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, spoke at the launch, commending the partnership between industry, academia, and government to expand digital literacy. “It is a pivotal moment for our relationship of building the ecosystem in terms of bringing the industry, the academia, and the government to work together,” he remarked, emphasizing the significance of industry-backed educational frameworks.
The DL4ALL initiative supports NITDA’s National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF), ensuring students achieve core digital competencies such as device operation, data literacy, digital content creation, and online safety.
Inuwa noted that these skills would enable students not only to enter the workforce seamlessly but also to foster entrepreneurial ventures that can create jobs.
Highlighting a World Economic Forum projection of an 85 million global talent shortage by 2030, Inuwa pointed out that Nigeria has a unique opportunity to close this gap with a digitally skilled workforce, driving economic transformation through technology.
“Digital literacy is no longer optional but a necessity because we need it to be included in everything we do,” he said, stressing that digital fluency is essential for economic and financial inclusion.
The DL4ALL initiative aligns with Nigeria’s mission of achieving digital sovereignty, empowering students with the skills to both secure jobs and create them, particularly through entrepreneurship programs. According to Inuwa, “With technology, your limitation is your imagination… you all can achieve whatsoever you imagine.”
In her welcome address, NSUK Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sadaatu Hassan Liman described the collaboration as transformative, positioning the university as a regional leader in Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
She noted that the DL4ALL program equips students to thrive in the global digital landscape, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
