The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has successfully convened the first-ever Digital Literacy Stakeholders Workshop, aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s journey toward achieving 95% digital literacy by the year 2030.

The two-day workshop, held in Abuja, was themed “Building Sustainable Partnerships and Pathways Towards Achieving 95% Digital Literacy Level by 2030.” It brought together stakeholders from across the government, private sector, academia, civil society, and development partners to align efforts, consolidate strategies, and promote inclusive digital growth.

In a statement signed by its Director of  Corporate Communications and Media Relations, Mrs. Hadiza Umar, the workshop was anchored on the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF), launched in 2023. Discussions centered on creating a roadmap to reach 70% digital literacy by 2027 and 95% by 2030. Participants tackled critical issues such as innovation in underserved communities, stakeholder profiling, and establishing a centralised data management system to track progress and guide policy decisions.

Key Resolutions

The workshop produced several strategic resolutions, including:

Enhanced Collaboration: Stakeholders agreed to synergise efforts, share resources, and avoid duplication for greater impact.

National Digital Literacy Data Framework: NITDA will host a centralised platform for evidence-based planning and progress monitoring.

Stakeholder Categorisation: Participants were grouped as Providers, Enablers, and Funders to streamline roles and engagement.

Inclusive Programming: Special attention will be given to women, youth, persons with disabilities, and remote communities.

Sustainability Focus: Emphasis will be placed on long-term, scalable projects over short-term interventions.

To sustain momentum and ensure accountability, participants resolved to:

• Establish a National Digital Literacy Technical Committee to oversee implementation.
• Hold the Digital Literacy Stakeholders Workshop annually to review progress.
• Promote open data-sharing via a NITDA-managed platform.
• Design and implement culturally relevant and economically feasible digital literacy programmes

Working Group Inaugurated

A key highlight of the event was the inauguration of the National Digital Literacy Working Group, chaired by David Daser, President of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI). The group will provide technical oversight and drive the implementation of the NDLF and workshop resolutions.

Supporting Renewed Hope Agenda

The initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, reinforcing the federal government’s commitment to digital inclusion, economic empowerment, and national development.

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As part of its continued efforts at reforming the economy for sustained inclusive economic growth and actualising the presidential target of equipping 70% of Nigerian citizens with digital literacy and skills by the year 2027, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), through its National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF), has launched the Digital Literacy For All Initiative(DL4ALL) at the Nassarawa State University, Keffi towards incorporating digital literacy into the institution’s curriculum

This initiative, launched in collaboration with CISCO and Nasarawa State University Keffi (NSUK), aims to ensure that students at every educational level achieve digital literacy before graduation and to support the presidential target of 70% digital literacy amongst its citizenry by 2027.

Giving his special address at the launching ceremony, the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, expressed his excitement at the remarkable milestone achievement, that the ecosystem collaboratively made in ensuring inclusive access to digital literacy for all.

“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 noted.

He stated that with Cisco’s support and government-backed frameworks, digitally proficient graduates who will plug seamlessly into the workforce would be produced rather than mere degree holders.

Citing projections from the World Economic Forum which estimates a global talent shortage of 85 million people by 2030, potentially resulting in 8.5 trillion dollars in unrealised annual revenue, Inuwa averred that Africa and Nigeria in particular, have a tremendous opportunity to fill the gap.

While emphasising the President’s directive of driving economic transformation through technology and skills development, Inuwa stated that it was essential to build a digitally skilled workforce that would accelerate the country’s economic growth and development.

“In a world we live in today where digital is a lifestyle, digital literacy is no longer optional, but it is a necessity because we need it to be included in everything we do. Today, to be digitally included economically, and financially, you need to be digitally literate, so you need to have the fluency to navigate the digital world,” he mentioned.

Speaking on the NDLF that was developed which birthed the DL4ALL initiative, the NITDA DG mentioned that the initiative would help build a digitally savvy population that cuts across all sectors because Information Technology is pervasive.

Enumerating the core competencies of the framework which are; device and software operation, information and data literacy, collaboration and communication, digital content creation, safety, and lastly, problem management, Inuwa asserted that the competencies will allow students to safely and effectively use technology in creating content, managing data, solving problems and collaborations with students in other universities.

He explained that the launch of the DL4ALL at NSUK aligns with Nigeria’s mission of achieving digital sovereignty and would empower students not just to secure jobs but to create them, particularly through entrepreneurship programs that encourage students to start businesses before graduation.

While urging the students to embrace technology as a limitless platform that will inspire them to be innovative and fearless, Inuwa said “I believe with technology, your limitation is your imagination because with the ubiquitous data we have today, unlimited connective and massive processing power, you all can achieve whatsoever you imagine.”

Earlier in her welcome address, the NSUK Vice Chancellor, Prof Sadaatu Hassan Liman described the partnership between the university and NITDA as a transformative one that will allow students at the university to leverage the DL4ALL programme in acquiring digital skills that will enable them to thrive in the 21st-century global landscape.

She noted that the programme is not only empowering the students but positioning the university as a regional leader in Information and Communications Technology and emerging technologies.

“This strategic integration of cutting edge technologies into our academic offerings will open up a lot of opportunities to our students and staff as well, allowing them to develop critical thinking, problem-solving and innovative mindsets required to navigate the rapidly evolving digital world,” she said.

The highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of the DL4ALL in NSUK emblem which was done by the dignitaries at the event.

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In line with the digital literacy campaign of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Director General NITDA Kashifu Inuwa CCIE has said the Agency’s committed to achieving 70% digital literacy level by 2025 through innovative approaches in delivering initiatives, continuous collaborations and stakeholder engagement.

Inuwa made this known while receiving representatives from the Afre.lib Academy led by the Executive Director of Operation Mrs Joice Gomina who were on a visit to the Agency’s Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.

The purpose of the visit was to seek NITDA’s partnership as co-host of Afre.lib Academy’s bootcamps in August; 2024 Tech and Career Expo with the theme “Tech for Earth” in September; to have the DG as a Keynote Speaker and sponsorship support for their Tech Challenge Winners.

He said from the digital literacy perspective “We have three key areas, firstly, is the Formal Education where we are working with the minister of education to review curriculum and infuse all these skills in formal education, but we have a lot to do to achieve that in terms of training the teachers, getting the equipment available for them to use and so on.”

“Sencodly, for those outside the formal education (informal), we have an initiative which we call the Digital Literacy for All where we are working on building an Edtech platform (a learning Management System) where people can learn at their own pace. We are looking at translating it to Nigerian Languages, so that people who cannot read and understand English can do so in their own local languages.”

“We are exploring partnering with the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) as they are in 774 local government areas, to be onboarding people and making the content as simple as possible. So that anybody who listens or watches these contents can pick something from it. We believe going through the NYSC will help use reach the critical mass we are looking at.”

“Finally, we also have the formal workforce, which is to train people working for the government and private sector because the workforce needs to be digitally literate to increase productivity at work.

Inuwa assured the Academy of the Agency’s full support as both organisation share the same vison of fostering IT development and digital literacy.
“We need to review your curriculum to make sure it aligns with the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF).”

He added that NITDA is working to have at least one Innovation Hub per state so that when people learn they can have a place to develop there proof of concept

He stated that both organisations can work together in the aspect of having tech clubs across schools in the country.

The ED Afre.lib Mrs Gomina said that the Academy’s which is a made up of a team of experts’ passionate educators has seen the gap between young children who are digital natives and their teachers who are still using old methods to prepare them for a future that is constantly evolving.

She said the Academy is working on building a platform where these children will be mentored and given a safe space to explore technology within the ethics of morality.

“We want to reduce that entitlement mentality and increase that mentality of citizenship, responsibility, and showing them that they can contribute to nation building using technology,” she said

She mentioned that some of the activities of the Academy includes, bootcamps for children, summer tech challenges teacher training as she appreciated the Agency for its willingness to support and partner with the Academy.

The Academy did a demo of some of the prototype developed by children who have undergone trainings with them.

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Nigeria’s digital journey is accelerating; at the forefront of this unprecedented growth is the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and one of its key strengths lies in its collaborative approach. Through collaboration with tech hubs, educational institutions, and industry stakeholders, NITDA is laying the groundwork for a thriving digital economy.

NITDA’s partnerships span across various sectors, and this multifaceted approach ensures a comprehensive strategy for digital literacy and innovation. Among the critical areas of focus are training programmes in artificial intelligence (AI), coding, cybersecurity, and basic digital literacy. These initiatives are not just about imparting knowledge; they are about equipping Nigerians with the skills necessary to thrive in a digital economy.

These programmes directly address the need for a digitally literate workforce, in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. To equip Nigerians with the skills for the digital age, NITDA aims to achieve a remarkable target of 70% digital literacy by the year 2027.

Through its collaborative training programmes, NITDA is birthing a new generation of highly talented Nigerians. Tech hubs across the country are buzzing with activity, where participants are immersed in learning experiences that cover the latest advancements in technology. Educational institutions are also critical in this endeavour. For this reason, NITDA is working with Federal Ministry of Education to integrate these programmes into their curricula to produce graduates that are ready to meet the demands of the digital age.

Beyond education and training, NITDA’s role includes the co-creation of policies that create a conducive environment for tech startups and established companies alike. By setting standards and regulations, NITDA ensures that innovation can flourish while maintaining the integrity and security of the digital infrastructure.

One notable example is NITDA’s involvement in developing guidelines for AI and data protection, which are crucial as the world increasingly relies on data-driven decision-making. These regulations not only protect users but also provide a clear framework for companies to innovate confidently.

This focus on collaboration extends beyond domestic partnerships. NITDA actively seeks partnerships with international stakeholders. A recent example is the collaboration with the U.S. Consulate General, Lagos, to host the Global Tech Africa Summit. The event brought together African and international players in the tech space, fostering knowledge exchange and creating opportunities for cross-border collaboration.

The Agency has recognised the transformative power of skill-based trainings, this prompted it to recently deepen its strategic partnership with Cisco to harness these technologies for Nigeria’s development. This collaboration is not just a step forward; it is a leap toward a future where technology drives sustainable growth and innovation across multiple sectors.

This partnership in practical sense, has several ambitious initiatives designed to showcase the capabilities of emerging technologies. Pilot projects are being rolled out to demonstrate the practical applications of these technologies in real-world settings.

In another circumstance, NITDA partnered TikTok to address some of the most pressing issues in the digital age. The partnership focuses on ensuring the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), promoting digital literacy, and creating a positive and secure online space for users.

The importance of this collaboration cannot be overemphasised, especially now that social media becomes increasingly integral to everyday life – the potential for both positive engagement and negative consequences grows. NITDA aims to leverage TikTok platform’s extensive reach and technological prowess to implement robust measures that safeguard users, particularly the younger demographic, who are the most active on social media.

NITDA recently collaborated with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH, known as the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and Digital Transformation Center (GIZ/DTC) to host a stakeholder awareness event focused on the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF) in Lagos.

This initiative aims to address the digital divide and equip Nigerians with critical digital skills, underscoring its ongoing commitment to fostering digital inclusion across the nation.

Collaboration with GIZ focuses on bridging the digital divide and empowering Nigerians with essential digital skills. A recent example is their joint effort on developing robust standards for digital literacy content to ensure high-quality learning materials are aligned with Nigeria’s National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF).

These are just a few examples of NITDA’s ongoing efforts to foster collaboration within the tech ecosystem. The Agency actively seeks partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders, including High Tech, Telecommunication and Tech-enabled companies, Tech startups, Development Agencies, etc.

NITDA’s commitment to fostering innovation is evident in its establishment of special purpose vehicles (SPVs) like the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI) and the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR). These SPVs act as catalysts for collaboration within the tech ecosystem, allowing for the implementation of initiatives like the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Support (TIES) Scheme and the iHatch Startup Incubation Programme.

In one of his public outings, the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, stated that “Collaborating with stakeholders is fundamental to our mission. By working together, we can create an ecosystem that supports innovation and sustainable growth, ensuring that Nigeria is not just a consumer of technology but a key player in the global tech arena.”

“The goal is to create a sustainable digital ecosystem where everyone has the opportunity to participate and benefit. Our partnerships are crucial in bridging the skills gap and ensuring that Nigeria’s digital economy is inclusive and resilient”, Inuwa explained.

As Nigeria stands on the cusp of a digital revolution, NITDA’s partnerships serve as a beacon of what is possible when government, industry, and academia come together with a shared vision. The journey to 70% digital literacy by 2027 is ambitious, but with the continued support and collaboration of all stakeholders, it is a goal well within reach. Through these efforts, Nigeria is not just preparing for the future; it is shaping it.

Mubarak writes from Abuja

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In a continuous effort to bridge the digital divide and empower Nigerians with essential digital skills, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in partnership with the GIZ/DTC, held a Stakeholder Awareness on the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF) in Lagos.

The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi CCIE, in his opening remarks, emphasised the critical role of digital literacy skills in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. He highlighted the NDLF as a comprehensive roadmap developed by NITDA, in collaboration with key stakeholders to equip Nigerians with the necessary digital skills to thrive in the digital age.

Inuwa, who was represented by Dr. Falilat Jimoh, of the Digital Inclusion Unit of the Agency’s South West Zonal Office (SWZO), asserted that the collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Education were underscored, focusing on integrating the framework’s provisions into the national school curriculum. “This initiative aims to equip students from a young age with foundational digital skills essential for future success,” he noted.

Furthermore, he mentioned that NITDA’s partnership with GIZ/DTC is fostered to establish robust standards for digital literacy content, ensuring high-quality and relevant learning materials aligned with the NDLF’s objectives.

Inuwa stressed that NITDA’s commitment to digital inclusion extends beyond formal education, with ongoing digital literacy programs targeting women, artisans, and other underserved segments of the society.
He emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts, stating that the framework enables the implementation of NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2.0, 2024–2027 pillars, “Fostering Digital Literacy and Cultivating Talents”.

“The SRAP 2.0 is a living document that is being redrafted to align with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy policy document “Accelerating Our Collective Responsibility”, which has Five strategic pillars namely, Knowledge, Policy, Infrastructure, Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Capital, and Trade.

According to the NITDA boss, these programs aim to empower individuals to participate meaningfully in the digital economy and access online opportunities.

“This resonates with the Knowledge pillar of the Ministry tailored to accelerate the collective responsibilities of all stakeholders towards achieving inclusivity in all its dimensions which supports the Renewed Hope Agenda that is focused on propelling the Nigerian economy and enhancing the welfare of its citizens”, he said.

Hence, he stated that the workshop goal is to create widespread awareness about the NDLF through interactive sessions and discussions, providing stakeholders with a deeper understanding of its components, target audiences, and potential impact on bridging the digital divide among Nigerians.

Additionally, the Director-General emphasised the importance of collective action in the successful implementation of the NDLF, expressing gratitude for the collaboration with partners and the participation of stakeholders. He affirmed that the significance of tailoring the framework to the specific needs of Nigeria’s diverse population is to achieve maximum effectiveness.

In conclusion, Inuwa expressed confidence that the NDLF, coupled with collaborative efforts, will play a pivotal role in empowering Nigerians with the digital skills necessary to actively participate in the digital economy, and access online information and opportunities while contributing to a more inclusive and prosperous society.

He then urged participants to continue collaborations to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s digital future.

Earlier, Dr. Thuweba Diwani the Commission Manager GIZ/DTC Nigeria in her opening remarks delivered by Olusegun Alimi, the Technical Advisor, GIZ/DTC Nigeria, anticipated that the awareness session would be an avenue to dialogue and come up with a “Participatory Policy Implementation Framework (PPIF)” he added, “for policies to be sustainable they need to be owned by the people”.

The Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria (DTC Nigeria) is a project funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft Fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). It focuses on digitalization, innovation, and entrepreneurship in Nigeria, aiming to enhance the country’s digital innovation ecosystem and boost its capacity for adopting digital innovations for economic and societal growth.

Other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) at the dialogue were, the National Orientation Agency (NOA), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Lagos Public Private Partnership (PPP), Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), also, the private sectors represented were MTN Foundation, CISCO, Tech4Dev, Faith Foundation among others.

The moderator, Mr. Tayo Olosunde an ecosystem industry enthusiast affirmed that the stakeholders’ sessions had also been held in Kano and Abuja.

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TECHDIGEST – In today’s increasingly digital world, digital literacy is more important than ever. The ability to use technology effectively is essential for participating in the economy, accessing education, and staying informed. The importance of digital literacy and skills cannot be overstated. As Nigeria strives to assert its position on the global stage as a technology-savvy nation, the National Digital Literacy and Skills Framework (NDLF) launched by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has emerged as a critical step towards empowering citizens and fostering socio-economic growth.

Nigeria is on the cusp of a technological revolution that will fundamentally change the way we live, work, and relate to each other. The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is built on the digital or Third Industrial Revolution (3IR), which has expanded into disruptive technologies and trends such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Virtual Reality (VR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, Autonomous Driving Vehicles, 3D printing, Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Materials Science, Energy Storage, and Quantum Computing. These technologies will require more technical capabilities than ever before, and Nigeria must prepare its workforce for the challenges of the 21st century work environment.

Building a digitally skilled workforce will accelerate Nigeria’s economic growth and development. A skilled workforce will be able to take advantage of the opportunities created by the 4IR, and Nigeria will be well-positioned to become a leader in the global economy. The government, businesses, and educational institutions must all work together to ensure that Nigeria has the workforce it needs to succeed in the 4IR.

The country with a population of over 200 million people, stands at a crossroad where the digital divide poses a significant challenge. While urban areas experience rapid technological advancements, many rural regions still lack access to essential digital infrastructure and face limited opportunities to acquire digital literacy.

This disparity hampers inclusivity and exacerbates socio-economic inequalities.
The unveiling of NDLF by Nigeria’s IT apex agency would bridge this divide, and provide standardised digital education and skills training across the nation, regardless of geographical location, the nation is set to create a level playing field, ensuring that every citizen has an equal chance to participate in the digital economy.

READ ALSO:NADIR lauds Tunji-Ojo as ministerial pick, condemns attack on NITDA Boss

In today’s globalised world, technology is rapidly changing the way we live, work, and learn. As a result, the skills that are essential for success in the workforce are also changing. In order to remain competitive in the global economy, Nigeria must ensure that its citizens have the digital skills they need to succeed.

Equipping Nigerians with relevant digital literacy skills will have a number of benefits. First, it will help to diversify the economy by creating new opportunities in the digital sector. Second, it will significantly reduce unemployment by making it easier for people to find jobs.

Third, it will enhance labor productivity and mobility by making it easier for people to learn new skills and move between jobs. Finally, it will improve investment by making Nigeria a more attractive destination for businesses.

Prior to this launch, there was no national framework that served as a guide for stakeholders on what constitutes the competence areas and specific competencies of literacy and skills required for a digital Nigeria. Thus NITDA, which is responsible for developmental regulation of the sector in Nigeria, has taken up the responsibility to lead the development of a national digital literacy and skills framework.

This document outlines a digital literacy and skills agenda for Nigeria by providing a clear and consistent definition of digital literacy, its competence areas.

It offers policy makers a means to frame digital literacy policies, as well as monitor and support their implementation; build digital literacy curricula, modules, and programs to afford proper planning, coordination and standardisation of digital literacy training and skills development in Nigeria; and enable assessment and certification, data collection, analyses, and measurement of the number and/or percentage of digitally literate Nigerians and their level of digital skills.

NDFL contains a vision for all Nigerian citizens to have digital skills equal to or exceeding the demands of their daily transactions and occupations in a Digital Nigeria; a nation that creates, uses and supplies advanced digital technologies and content to improve productivity across all sectors of the economy.

It’s primary objective is to ensure equitable access to digital literacy education for all population segments, including underserved communities; provide comprehensive digital literacy programmes to empower citizens with essential digital skills, from basic to advanced competencies; promote diverse participation in the digital economy, bridging the gender and socioeconomic digital divide; equip the workforce with relevant digital skills to meet the rapidly evolving job market demands; and foster a vibrant digital ecosystem by encouraging the creation of locally relevant and culturally significant digital content.

Digital literacy is no longer just a nice-to-have skill. It is now essential for success in the 21st century economy. A recent report by IDC found that there are over 1.5 billion current virtual workforce vacancies across the world. These vacancies are not just limited to tech-related jobs. They also include jobs in healthcare, education, and customer service.

In order to be qualified for these jobs, workers need to have the digital skills necessary to use technology effectively.

This includes skills such as using productivity software, navigating the internet, and communicating online.
Digital literacy is also essential for solving some of Nigeria’s most pressing problems.

For example, digital literacy can help to improve education by providing students with access to online resources and tools. It can also help to reduce unemployment by creating new opportunities in the digital economy.

The good news is that Nigeria is well-positioned to take advantage of the digital revolution. With the right investment in education and training, Nigeria can create a workforce that is digitally literate and ready to compete in the global economy.

The National Digital Literacy and Skills Framework is a bold and ambitious initiative. If successful, it will have a profound impact on the lives of Nigerians, by providing everyone with the opportunity to learn digital skills, the framework will help to create a more prosperous, equitable, and democratic Nigeria.

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TECHDIGEST – In its ambitious target to achieve 95 percent digital literacy by 2030 and aligning with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to create over one million jobs for youths in the digital economy sector, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has officially launched the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF) for achieving a digitally literate citizenry.

The framework is aimed at providing a clear and consistent definition of digital literacy and to develop a national curriculum for digital literacy capacity building training to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background or location, has the opportunity to learn the digital skills they need to succeed in the 21st century economy.

Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, while making his remark during the unveiling at the Digital Economy Complex, Mbora in Abuja, said the framework is going to set the stage for the review of curriculum from the kindergarten to universities.

He said under the objectives of the Framework, there is Universal Access, which means every Nigerian should have access to digital literacy and also, will help the country develop youth’s skills. The second objective, according to the DG, is Skill Development, which he said will help in building digital offerings locally.

“Thirdly, Inclusive Participation means everybody should be carried along to achieve this, we are developing digital gender inclusion as well, to ensure that the Nigerian women are not being left behind and we also have the workforce readiness,” he added.

READ ALSO: NADIR lauds Tunji-Ojo as ministerial pick, condemns attack on NITDA Boss 

Inuwa also stressed the need for Nigeria to strategically position itself to fill 85 million talent deficits gaps with 8.5T USD unrealised annual value, which Korn Ferry projected that the world would experience by the year 2030.

“By the year 2030, the way we work will completely change” the DG said, while citing McKinsey’s research that said automation will displace between 480 million jobs; Microsoft’s which said that by 2025, there is going to be more than 190 million new IT jobs.

“If we position ourselves, we can capture this value and become the global talent factory. We have a more competitive advantage over India in terms of our young population, English-speaking people, our geographic location, and many more,” the DG said.

He stated, “to create jobs, you need to have the literacy and skill, you need the literacy for the consumers to consume the digital services, and you need skills for the developers to build the digital services. So, this framework is setting the tone and is setting the direction.”

He asserted that more work will be done, as NITDA has already done the IT Skills Gap Assessment and is currently working on the digital talent strategy that will help in building the talent pipeline; not only training people, but connecting them with jobs, either local jobs or global in other to be part of the global value chain.

The DG SMEDAN Mr Olawale Tunde Fasanya during his goodwill message assured NITDA that the Agency will key in by including digital skills in its training curriculum to impact a lot of people. As he said the impact of digital skills on Nano, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises is enormous.

The highlight of the event was the official signing of the NDLF by the special guest of Honour and Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr William Alo OON and the DG of NITDA.

In attendance were the DG/CEO National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr Aliyu Aziz; CEO, National Commissioner, Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji; representative from the Central Bank of Nigeria, Ministry of Education, MTN Foundation, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) and many more.

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