The National Information Technology Development Agency has launched the ‘Digital Literacy for All’ initiative, aimed at bridging the digital divide in Nigeria.
The agency said in a statement obtained on Sunday that the initiative aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s priority to reform the economy for sustained inclusive growth.
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The “’Digital Literacy for All’ initiative sought to ensure that every Nigerian has access to digital literacy, ensuring no one is left behind in our rapidly evolving digital world.
“This initiative is strategically designed to propel Nigeria towards a mid-term target of achieving 70 per cent digital literacy level by 2027,” NITDA highlighted.
It explained that the initiative aimed to equip individuals with the necessary tools to access and utilise online resources for education, employment, and government services safely.
According to the agency, participants will learn to protect themselves online from cyber threats and misinformation, communicate and collaborate effectively using digital tools, and develop the digital fluency required for many in-demand jobs.
It added that a lack of internet access is a core driver of the digital divide in Nigeria, creating inequalities in access to information, services, and opportunities between those connected and unconnected to the digital world.
A Groupe Special Mobile Association report revealed that about 71 per cent of Nigerians do not have regular access to mobile Internet.
The GSMA stated that Nigeria could add 15 million additional internet users by 2028 with the right policy environment to address the challenges limiting telecom coverage expansion.
Nigeria requires over N15tn to bridge its digital infrastructure gap, according to the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria.
To narrow the digital disparity and enhance connectivity nationwide, the Nigerian government has formed a strategic partnership with the World Bank to bridge the digital gap.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
