The Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa. CCIE, has reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to accelerate digital literacy and expand access to technology across Nigeria’s basic education system.

Inuwa made this known while receiving the UBEC management team, led by its Executive Secretary, Dr. Aisha Garba, during a courtesy visit to NITDA Headquarters in Abuja.

He emphasised that collaboration between NITDA and UBEC is central to achieving Nigeria’s national digital literacy targets. “For us, partnering with you will help us achieve more in terms of reaching all students in basic education,” he said, noting that while significant progress has been made in training teachers, the broader national objective must prioritise learners.

He explained that teacher capacity development efforts are already yielding positive results, with digital literacy modules now embedded in NITDA’s programmes and mandated for educators. “We have achieved a lot in training teachers, but impact must be measurable,” he stated. “We need the numbers. How many students are being reached?” he asked, reiterating NITDA’s digital literacy targets of 70 per cent by 2027 and 95 per cent by 2030.

The Director General underscored the importance of leveraging data to measure impact effectively. “With this system, we should be able to know each teacher and how many people they are impacting, so that we can keep proper records and have the numbers,” he said, highlighting the role of Artificial Intelligence and data analytics in tracking progress nationwide.

On infrastructure, he disclosed that NITDA has deployed over 1,500 digital learning centres across the country under its strategic pillar on promoting inclusive access to digital infrastructure and services. While some centres are well utilised, others remain underused. “We want every Nigerian to have access to digital infrastructure and services,” Inuwa stated, proposing that both agencies share data, map their interventions, and complement each other’s efforts to maximise impact.

Addressing the issue of internet connectivity in schools, Inuwa called for further exploration of sustainable models. “Let us explore multiple services they can use. How can we get more internet services to schools” he asked, stressing that connectivity is crucial to unlocking the full potential of digital learning facilities.

Beyond infrastructure and literacy, Inuwa offered to share NITDA’s digital transformation playbook with UBEC to support internal reforms within the Commission. “Digital transformation is a journey. It is not a one-off initiative. At each stage, when you reach your target, you need to set a new one,” he said.

He cited NITDA’s AI transformation roadmap, which involved training all staff on Generative AI and encouraging them to develop innovative use cases. “The idea was to train them and challenge them to see how AI can enhance what they do,” he explained, adding that, “AI is not here to replace people. If a junior staff member can transition from moving files to managing an AI system, I believe anyone can embrace and use AI.”

Inuwa further explained how process re-engineering within the Agency reduced repetitive approvals and administrative bottlenecks. “A Director General is not an expert in audit, procurement, or project management. Why can’t they just work and bring the final product for approval?” he remarked, noting that streamlined workflows allow leadership to focus on strategic direction.

In her remarks, UBEC Executive Secretary, Dr. Aisha Garba, described the partnership with NITDA as both strategic and essential. She said, “For us in UBEC, our key mandate is universal access to basic education for all Nigerian children. So, it’s a big responsibility,” stressing that UBEC does not consider this mandate one it can fulfil alone. “We always seek partners that work with us—not just government agencies, but also communities and parents,” she added.

Garba highlighted the scale of the challenge, noting that over 47 million children are currently within Nigeria’s basic education system. “Whatever the number is, it’s not a small one,” she said, referencing varying statistics on out-of-school children. “Outside basic education, you have fewer than five million. So, this is really the biggest stake we all have.”

She emphasised that collaboration with NITDA is key to bridging access gaps and improving quality. “Partnering with NITDA is a necessity for us. We need to work together to use technology to bridge the lack of access in the country and to improve the quality of education,” she said, pointing to enrolment concerns and foundational literacy challenges in some states.

Garba also expressed appreciation for the NITDA Director General’s continued support.

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In Abuja, NITDA’s Director General Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, led a delegation to meet the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Hajiya Aisha Garba, to deepen collaboration on embedding digital literacy into Nigeria’s basic education curriculum.

This engagement builds on NITDA’s broader mission to work with critical education agencies — including the Federal Ministry of Education, the National Universities Commission (NUC), and the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) — to integrate digital skills development across all levels of learning.

To deliver this vision, a joint committee has been inaugurated to design and implement a roadmap that will guide the effective rollout of digital literacy in primary schools. The ultimate goal is to ensure that young Nigerians graduate with the foundational digital skills they need to succeed in the 21st-century global economy.

Education stakeholders have welcomed the move, seeing it as a strategic step toward building a digitally inclusive society and strengthening Nigeria’s human capital through technology-driven learning.

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In a significant step towards enhancing e-learning in Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady and National Chairperson of the Renewed Hope Initiative, recently inaugurated several ICT facilities across various states. This project includes a community IT centre developed by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and supported by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

During the inauguration, Senator Tinubu committed to ensuring that women and girls have improved access to ICT resources, urging beneficiaries to fully utilize these facilities. She emphasized that this initiative aims to bridge the digital divide under NITDA’s National Digital Gender Inclusion Strategy.

These ICT centres represent important milestones in empowering women and fostering a more inclusive society. However, they are also intended to serve as training grounds for digital transformation, benefitting all genders, particularly students and pupils in surrounding neighborhoods.

For example, the ICT facilities established at the PRNigeria Centre in Kano provide affordable and accessible learning opportunities to tertiary students. Additionally, unemployed graduates have taken advantage of skills acquisition programs offered at this center.

The current economic climate, marked by a continuous rise in fuel prices, is causing transportation costs to soar, making it increasingly challenging for ordinary Nigerians to afford daily commutes. Students, in particular, are suffering from the fallout of this chaotic economic situation, as many can no longer afford to travel to classes.

The ramifications of escalating fuel prices on transportation and education in Nigeria are far-reaching. Higher fuel costs lead to increased transportation expenses that directly impact individuals, businesses, and the broader economy. This creates barriers to employment, healthcare access, and social interactions while also contributing to inflation and elevating the overall cost of living.

In terms of education, rising commuting costs often result in decreased student attendance and hinder access to quality learning experiences. Many schools are feeling the financial pinch, prompting them to raise fees for transportation, utilities, and maintenance, which further constrains educational resources.

Consequently, the burden of these rising costs frequently falls on parents, particularly low-income families, who find it increasingly difficult to keep up with escalating school fees and maintain access to education for their children.

Against this backdrop, online learning emerges as a viable solution. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the effectiveness and accessibility of virtual education, and with rapid technological advancements since then, online learning has become more feasible than ever. In this challenging economic climate, the benefits of adopting e-learning are increasingly compelling.

To combat these challenges, stakeholders must adopt and implement strategies that mitigate the rising costs of education. This includes investing in fuel-efficient transportation modes, exploring alternative energy sources, and promoting the adoption of remote learning solutions. The government can play a crucial role by advocating for online education initiatives that make learning more accessible during times of economic hardship.

Online learning eliminates the need for physical commuting, significantly reducing costs for students while allowing them to learn at their own pace and on their own schedules. This flexibility is especially beneficial for those balancing education with work or family responsibilities. Furthermore, online education helps bridge the gap between urban and rural areas, offering equal educational opportunities and minimizing health risks associated with commuting.

Despite the numerous benefits outlined by Tech Digest—such as affordability, flexibility, accessibility, and safety—Nigeria must address key challenges to fully harness the potential of online learning. Issues like internet connectivity, device access, and teacher training require urgent attention. Parents can contribute by ensuring their children have access to affordable gadgets with internet capabilities, promoting inclusivity in education.

By embracing e-learning, students can significantly diminish their transportation expenses while still receiving high-quality education. This model also alleviates pressure on the education system by reducing the student population commuting to physical classrooms and minimizing overcrowding.

Realizing the full potential of online learning in Nigeria requires a collaborative effort between government, private sector players, and educational institutions. Government bodies can provide essential funding, infrastructure, and policy support while private companies can innovate educational technologies. Meanwhile, educational institutions must adapt their curricula and training programs to align with online learning demands.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has been instrumental in promoting online education in Nigeria. The agency has invested in establishing well-equipped technology learning centres throughout the country, granting students access to computers, internet connectivity, and vital educational resources. Schools across all 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, should collaborate with these centres to maximize their benefits.

In conclusion, online learning presents a promising avenue for addressing the educational challenges faced by students in Nigeria. By leveraging technology and investing in infrastructure, the government can ensure education remains accessible and affordable for all—a commitment NITDA is actively working to uphold. The advantages of this modern educational approach far outweigh its limitations, providing crucial opportunities for students irrespective of their financial situations.

Therefore, it is imperative that the ICT resources provided by NITDA and other relevant organizations are effectively utilized to transform the educational landscape in Nigeria.

Fom Gyem is a tech journalist with Tech Digest Abuja

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TECH DIGEST – The Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to continue to partner with Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) on IT development in area of Smart Education.

The DG made this known Thursday, during a courtesy visit by the Executive Secretary of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Dr. Hamid Bobboyi and his team to the corporate headquarters of NITDA.

“Technology drives almost everything we do today, to succeed as a country we need to infuse the system with information technology from the primary school level’’, said Abdullahi, adding that there is need to,” catch them young”.

“At NITDA we are inspired to align with the modern trend of technological advancement” he said as he enumerated the Agency’s newly launched Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2021-2024) towards achieving digital transformation for a digital Nigeria which is in line with the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS).

The DG highlighted the seven pillars of NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan as; Developmental Regulations, Digital Literacy and skills, Digital Transformation, Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Cybersecurity, Emerging Technologies, and Promotion of Indigenous Content.

He further identified that the Digital Literacy and skills as a focus area for UBEC to collaborate with NITDA through implementation of training processes and also to provide technical support to enable UBEC design a unique framework to achieve a digital economy.

The DG elaborated on the importance of capacity building and the need to ensure continuous identification of emerging skills to stay abreast with the global trend.

“Earlier this year, we launched the pilot edition of the National Adopted School for Smart Education (NASSE),” he said.

He explained that the project, in partnership with AMAC, is geared towards deploying one of the indigenous cloud based digital education solution based on the National Education Research Development Council (NERC) curriculum.

He advised that for a cloud based digital solution whereby the students are empowered through the provision of smart devices with the help of local manufacturers to make easy the learning procedures even beyond the classrooms.

Abdullahi noted that sustainability of the process after implementation is of great importance towards actualizing a digital transformation.

He therefore proffered the formation of a committee to work on the modalities of operation.

Earlier in his remarks, UBEC Executive Secretary recounted briefly, the history of the evolution of technology and how immense progress has been achieved throughout the world with the advancement of technology.

“The importance of the integration of Information Technology for the advancement of education in order to remain relevant in the 21st century can never be overemphasized”, he argued.

He further appreciated the immense contribution of NITDA in promoting a digital Nigeria and the past contributions to UBEC.

In his prayers, he implored the Agency to further assist in proffering measures adoptable to ensure that Information Technology is integrated fully into the school system.

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