The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reinforced its leadership in promoting inclusive digital development with the completion of a two-day digital literacy training for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Abuja, aimed at expanding access to skills and opportunities in Nigeria’s digital economy.
The programme, organised under NITDA’s Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative, equipped 50 participants with practical digital skills designed to enhance their participation in the country’s rapidly expanding digital ecosystem.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, said the training reflects the agency’s determination to ensure accessibility remains a core pillar of Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda. He stressed that genuine digital advancement cannot be achieved without the deliberate inclusion of persons with disabilities.
He noted that millions of Nigerians remain excluded from digital opportunities, not because of the absence of technology, but due to inaccessible platforms and systems.
“In many cases, the problem is not the absence of digital tools, but the lack of accessibility. Platforms that do not support assistive technologies, non-captioned content and inaccessible websites effectively shut people out and limit opportunities,” Inuwa said.
The Director-General explained that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises inclusivity as a key driver of national development.
He emphasised that persons with disabilities should be recognised as active contributors to economic growth rather than dependants.
“When equipped with the right skills and technologies, persons with disabilities become innovators, entrepreneurs and professionals who contribute meaningfully across sectors,” he added.
Inuwa also acknowledged the contributions of Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) and SIMBED in implementing the training, describing the collaboration as a model of effective partnership between government and civil society in advancing inclusive development.
Highlighting NITDA’s broader digital literacy drive, he said the DL4ALL programme is a central component of the agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan, which targets 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027 and 95 per cent by 2030.
According to him, the initiative operates through three major tracks: an informal sector programme that has trained more than 480,000 Nigerians across 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory since September 2024; an education-focused programme aimed at embedding digital skills within learning institutions; and a workforce readiness programme designed to strengthen digital competence across public and private sectors.
“This programme is not merely a pilot. It is proof that inclusive and intentional training works, and that persons with disabilities can excel when given equal opportunities,” Inuwa stated.
Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SIMBED, Mr Daniel Onunkwo, described the training as a significant step towards bridging the digital inclusion gap for persons with disabilities. He said the initiative sends a strong message about equity and national progress, adding that SIMBED remains committed to expanding digital empowerment for PWDs.
Similarly, the Executive Director of Inclusive Friends Association, Grace Jerry, represented by Tracy Agbamu, commended NITDA for demonstrating intentional leadership in promoting inclusion in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda. She urged participants to continue applying the skills acquired and to serve as advocates for digital inclusion within their communities.
The training programme further reinforces NITDA’s vision of building a digitally inclusive Nigeria, where access to digital opportunities is determined not by physical ability but by empowerment, innovation and equal opportunity.
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