As global leaders are proactively adopting futuristic policy measures and initiatives to strongly position their economies for competiveness through Information and Communications Technology (ICT) investments and deployment, among others, Nigeria has, over the past few years, not been left out as the Federal Government continues to explore sundry policy options to translate the nation’s untapped huge economic and human capital assets to catalysts for the nation’s sustainable development in the future.
This is only logical in a global space where ICT and other emerging man-developed tools are redefining socioeconomic principles and standards with the attendant positive implications for countries that are innovatively-driven and striving for better ratings in the increasingly dynamic techno-driven global economic order.
In what appears to be a proactive approach in responding to the emerging dynamics of the global economic system, the Federal Government in a policy initiative restructured the former Ministry of Information and Communications Technology and transformed it to the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy for the purposes of implementing the Nigeria’s Digital Economy Policy and Strategy programme.
Specifically, the policy initiative is based on eight pillars, namely Developmental Regulation; Digital Literacy and Skills; Solid Infrastructure; Service Infrastructure; Digital Services Development and Promotion; Soft Infrastructure; Digital Society and Emerging Technologies; and Indigenous Content.
As it is the common practice in public service, the implementation of these pillars are usually assigned to relevant ministries departments and agencies (MDAs) under the political supervision of the Ministers, who are the ‘Chief Reporting Officer’ to the President on the level of successes or challenges in the drive towards meeting set targets for policy reform initiatives.
A cursory appraisal of the implementation of the Digital Economy Policy and Strategy programme over the past few years showed that the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) remained the frontline player in terms of innovative programmes and projects being undertaken by it to strongly position Nigeria in the leading edge of the global techno-powered economic order in the years ahead.
The agency, particularly in the past four years under the leadership of a world-class and award-winning industry expert, Mr. Kashifu Inuwa, supported by a team of techno-savvy officials, has set remarkable records in creating a strong pedestal for driving the nation’s economy towards the desired level of making the digital economy the most vital sub-sector in the collective agenda of exponentially boosting Nigeria’s GDP growth rate as recently projected by the Federal Government.
Recently published data on Nigeria’s digital economy revenues indicated that the revenues rose from US$5.09 billion in 2019 to US$7.13 billion and US$9.97 billion in 2020 and 2021, respectively. It is projected that these revenues will reach US$18.30 billion by 2026.
Also, a McKinsey study published in 2017 predicted that the digital economy in Nigeria would contribute 3.0 million new jobs and add US$88.00 billion to the economy over a decade.
The Director-General of the NITDA has, by leveraging his sound academic and professional expertise spanning over two decades in the global ICT space, remained relentless in his efforts targeted at achieving the targets through the broad objectives of the eight pillars of the Digital Economy Policy and Strategy programme and today, the results are there for Nigerians to see.
By all assessment parameters, the NITDA boss can be described as leading torch-bearer who, through the supervision of the globally renowned industry top player and Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, is guiding millions of Nigerian youths on the path to Nigeria’s holistic transformation into a digital economic landscape that global investors and result-oriented industry players will like to be in the near future.
Since it is quite impossible to fully capture all that the intellectually resourceful and value-driven Inuwa has achieved since his assumption of office at the NITDA in a single piece like this, an area deserving a special focus in his initiatives here is the remarkable strides by the agency to enhance the digital literacy level of young Nigerians across the geopolitical zones.
For instance, shortly after his assumption of office and in demonstration of his commitment to mark his word with action on the digital literacy initiative by investing in digital tools for students, the Director-General approved the donation of laptops and desk computers to hundreds of students at an event organized by the Children of Africa Leadership and Values Development Initiative (CALDEV), as part of the NITDA’s activities to mark the 2021 Universal Children’s Day in the country.
Commenting on the initiative then, the world-class technocrat, explained that “the gesture to Nigerian students was borne out of the Agency’s strategic approach to developing emerging technology in Nigeria.”
Conscious of the increasingly dynamic global order in which technology will determine which country will play what role in the emerging politico-economic system, the NITDA boss has, through collaborative initiatives with development partners, relevant MDAs, sub-national governments, and industry experts, championed several digital literacy programmes with a view to empowering Nigerian youths for global competitiveness in the digital economic landscape.
Some of the recent initiatives of the NITDA include the partnership of the Federal Ministry of Education, the collaboration with CISCO, Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), NBTE, NUC, NTI, NMC, and UBEC with the launching of the Digital Literacy for All Initiative (DL4ALL) to integrate digital literacy into NSUK’s curriculum; enlightenment of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members as champions of the DL4ALL Initiative; advocacy on digital literacy at sub-national level; and sundry public awareness programmes in radio, TV, newspapers and social media, among others.
Speaking on what could be classified as the fundamental reason on why the NITDA is prioritizing digital literacy at all levels in the drive to fulfil its statutory mandate at the 68th National Council on Education (NCE) meeting a few months ago where the partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education was announced, Inuwa maintained that the necessity of collaborating with the ministry to integrate digital literacy into the formal education system had become imperative in order to ensure that Nigeria’s workforce is equipped to not only consume but also create and innovate with digital technology.
He clarified: “Our goal is to foster a generation of tech-savvy citizens who can effectively contribute to the digital economy.”
The Director-General pointed out that the initiative aligned with NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), which aims for 70% digital literacy by 2025 and 95% by 2030.
To achieve the ambitious targets, he disclosed that NITDA had developed the Digital Literacy Framework (DLF), which will be embedded in Nigeria’s education system, adding that the framework is a key component of the nation’s digital transformation journey and will help prepare students for the demands of the 21st-century workforce.
Similarly, at the 6th edition of the Annual FirstBank FinTech Summit held last month, Inuwa, who ranks top among the genre of few people-oriented, value-driven and grassroots-focused technocrats in the country, also spoke about the Regulatory Intelligence Framework developed by the agency to create marketing values, enable innovations, protect consumers and effectively deliver services, and that priority was given to collaborations within the ecosystem in meeting these deliverables.
At the forum, he also spoke on NITDA’s efforts to bridge the digital divide as an essential factor for financial inclusion, underscoring the launch of a National Digital Literacy Framework to integrate digital skills in formal education.
On the partnership with CISCO and Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), during the launch of the Digital Literacy for All Initiative (DL4ALL) to integrate digital literacy into NSUK’s curriculum, the NITDA boss said the initiative, under NITDA’s National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF), aligned with the presidential target of achieving 70% digital literacy among Nigerians by 2027.
He described the event as a pivotal moment in the journey to building a robust digital ecosystem, adding that collaboration between industry, academia, and government will serve as a cornerstone for producing digitally proficient graduates ready to excel in the workforce, rather than merely holding degrees.
Inuwa expatiated: “In today’s digital world, literacy is no longer optional. It is essential for economic and financial inclusion. This initiative ensures students are equipped with the fluency needed to navigate and thrive in a digital environment.”
In furtherance of the agency’s relentless drive towards the enhancing the citizenry’s digital literacy level, particularly among the upwardly mobile youth population, Inuwa, at a forum penultimate week urged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, who are serving as Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) Initiative champions, to intensify their efforts in training and sensitising Nigerians on the transformative potential of digital literacy in shaping Nigeria’s future.
He gave the charge in his keynote address at one of the flagship programmes under NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), focusing on grassroots engagement, and seeks to provide underserved communities with essential digital knowledge, empowering individuals to access opportunities in an increasingly digitally-driven world.
Inuwa said: “You are the ambassadors of our shared vision to empower every Nigerian with the knowledge needed to navigate and excel in the digital economy. Your dedication and resilience will ensure that no Nigerian is left behind as we build a technologically driven, globally competitive economy.”
He added that the DL4ALL initiative aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises innovation-driven economic growth, youth empowerment, and national prosperity.
Inuwa harped on the far-reaching impact of the initiative, noting that “this programme is not just an investment in individuals; it is an investment in our collective future. A digitally skilled workforce will not only transform our economy but also position Nigeria as a leader in the global knowledge economy.
“Through your efforts, we will empower millions of Nigerians to unlock their potential, embrace innovation, and contribute meaningfully to national development.
“This is our collective responsibility. The digital future we envision for Nigeria begins with the work you will do in your communities. Let us commit ourselves to this cause, knowing that the seeds we plant today will yield a harvest of opportunities for generations to come,” he added.
He affirmed NITDA’s commitment to leading Nigeria’s digital transformation and fostering a future where no citizen is left behind.
Interestingly, the Director-General a few days ago also expanded the scope of the agency’s collaboration with relevant MDAs by partnering the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) for the purposes of integrating Nigeria’s cultural and creative industries (CCI) with the country’s burgeoning digital and innovation ecosystems.
In a statement jointly signed by Head of Media NCAC, Dr. Dennis Olofu and NITDA’s Director, Corporate Communications and Media Relations, Mrs Hadiza Umar, stated that one of the key focus areas of the partnership is Innovate, Create, Empower (ICE) by up-skilling players in the cultural and creative industries.
According to the spokespersons of the two entities, “with NITDA’s support, ICE will expand to 1,000 locations nationwide, targeting the training of 2 million Nigerians by 2027. NITDA will provide training facilities and digital labs to enhance the programme’s impact.”
The statement partly reads: ”NCAC, in collaboration with private sector partners, is developing digital platforms for cultural inventory, fan engagement, influencer marketing, subscription video-on-demand (SVOD), e-commerce, and capacity building. NITDA will provide support through local distribution networks and cloud services to strengthen these platforms.
“NCAC formally requested NITDA’s assistance in equipping its headquarters and zonal offices with computers, tablets, consumables, digital labs, and podcast studios to achieve full digital transformation.
“NCAC will mobilise its creative and cultural communities to participate in NITDA’s initiatives, including the highly anticipated GITEX Nigeria 2025.
“Both agencies have agreed to pilot BuyNigeria.ng, an e-commerce platform designed to bring Nigerian markets online. The initial phase will focus on markets in Kano, Lagos, Aba, and Abuja, fostering greater visibility and accessibility for traders and artisans while aligning with NCAC’s vision of enhancing productivity in the cultural and creative sectors”, it added.
In concluding this news analysis on the NITDA and the Director-General remarkable strides in the Nigerian digital transformation agenda, the question that one may ask here is: Why is the Director-General so passionate about digital literacy in the NITDA’s current initiatives and project?
The answer is clearly just because Inuwa, as a futuristic global industry player, knows that the digital creativity and innovativeness of any nation’s youths will remain the major tool that will define how each country will rank in their frenetic efforts towards leading the global economic race in the near future.
Analysts believe that the Kashifu Inuwa-led NITDA management is one of the greatest assets Nigeria has to translate its huge human capital and other natural resource endowments to real gains for frontline competitiveness in the emerging global economic space in the near future.
This News Analysis was written by Tola Akinmutimi, Editor-in-Chief of BRTNews.ng, and forwarded from Abuja, Nigeria
