In a significant effort to propel Nigeria towards a digitally literate society, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, welcomed the management team of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) at NITDA’s Corporate Headquarters. The delegation was led by NERDC’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Ismail Janaidu.
The visit marked a pivotal step in reinforcing the collaboration between the two agencies, with a shared vision to elevate Nigeria’s digital literacy rate to 70% by 2027. This ambitious target is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to harness digital technologies to create millions of jobs and drive economic growth.
During the meeting, both parties discussed strategic initiatives to infuse digital skills into the educational curriculum at all levels. This includes primary, secondary, and tertiary education, ensuring that students are equipped with essential 21st-century skills from a young age. The integration of digital literacy into the curriculum is seen as a crucial measure to prepare the Nigerian workforce for the demands of a technology-driven global economy.
Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi emphasized the importance of digital literacy in achieving national development goals. “By embedding digital skills into our education system, we are not only preparing our youth for future job markets but also fostering innovation and creativity that will drive Nigeria’s socio-economic growth,” he stated.
Prof. Ismail Janaidu highlighted the NERDC’s commitment to this initiative, expressing optimism about the potential impact of the collaboration. “Our partnership with NITDA is a significant milestone in our efforts to modernize the educational sector. By aligning our curriculum with global digital standards, we are paving the way for our students to compete internationally and contribute meaningfully to the digital economy,” he remarked.
The collaboration will involve a comprehensive review and overhaul of the current educational curriculum to incorporate digital literacy components. This will include training for teachers, development of digital learning materials, and the establishment of infrastructure to support technology-based education.
Both NITDA and NERDC are poised to work closely with other stakeholders, including educational institutions, industry experts, and policymakers, to ensure the successful implementation of this initiative. The goal is not only to improve digital literacy rates but also to create a robust ecosystem that supports continuous learning and adaptation to technological advancements.
The meeting concluded with a mutual agreement to set up a joint task force that will oversee the execution of the outlined strategies and monitor progress towards achieving the set objectives.
This initiative represents a bold step towards transforming Nigeria’s educational landscape and empowering the next generation with the skills needed to thrive in the digital age.
