NITDA seeks global partnership to deepen literacy

The National Information Technology Development Agency is seeking global partnerships to deepen digital literacy and enhance technological education in Nigeria.

The Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Inuwa, announced in a statement that he recently hosted a team from the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Online Master of Science in Analytics, led by Dr Michael Best, to discuss collaboration opportunities.

The meeting centred on enhancing digital literacy, advancing technological education, and equipping Nigerians with in-demand tech skills.

Inuwa expressed enthusiasm about the potential of those initiatives to significantly impact the tech sector and expand global opportunities for Nigerians.

He said the partnership aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s redefined priority area to accelerate diversification through industrialisation, digitisation, creative arts, manufacturing, and innovation.

“These initiatives have the potential to significantly impact the tech sector and expand global opportunities for Nigerians, perfectly aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s priority to accelerate diversification through industrialisation, digitisation, creative arts, manufacturing, and innovation,” the NITDA chief stated.

A significant number of Nigerians lack digital skills, with over 100 million young people unprepared for job opportunities requiring such competencies.

A survey by GetBundi revealed that about 85 per cent of Nigerian graduates had no digital skills, a major factor contributing to high unemployment rates.

However, the Federal Government has launched several initiatives to enhance digital literacy in Nigeria.

The Digital Literacy for All Initiative was launched by NITDA, aimed at achieving 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027, ensuring all Nigerians could access online resources safely and effectively.