NITDA launches specific Digital Literacy, Skills Programme for States

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has started Digital Literacy and Skills Programme to realise the Digital Nigeria scheme.

The NITDA programme objective is to equip Nigerian youths with the essential digital literacy skills that can assist Nigeria’s change from service to the Digital Economy. Its objective is to train about 540 youths from each state of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director-General of the NITDA, declared that the programme is in line with Digital Literacy and Skills pillar of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria.

Mr Kashifu Inuwa, Director General, NITDA

He said, “It is expected that about 20,000 Nigerians will benefit from the programme. Registration for the first phase of the programme commences on Monday 8th March 2021. The beneficiary states for the first phase are Gombe, Kano, Lagos and Rivers States. The schedule for the subsequent phases will be advertised in due course.

“Specific areas of focus for the programme include IT Management of Productivity Tools understanding Digital Marketing and Basics of Content Creation; and entrepreneurial Skills including Basics of Career Development.”

National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is a public service institution established by NITDA Act 2007 as the ICT policy implementing arm of the Federal Ministry of Communication of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It was commissioned by the administration of former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo through the perfection of a bill designed to provide for the establishment of National Information Technology Development in 2007 (NITDA Act).

It has sole responsibility of developing programs that caters for the running of ICT related activities in the country. The agency is also mandated with the implementation of policies guideline for driving ICT in Nigeria.

NITDA plays advisory role in copyright law by verification and revision of applicable laws in tandem with the application of software and technology acquisition. Majority of these activities are achieved through organisation of workshops which cater for training needs of her staff, government functionaries and education sectors.

Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi is the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).