The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has underscored the critical role of digital literacy in driving Nigeria’s economic growth, national development, and social inclusion.
Speaking at the 2025 edition of the BusinessDay CEO Forum held in Lagos, with the theme “From Reforms to Recovery,” Inuwa delivered a compelling presentation titled “Nigeria’s Journey to a Digital Economy,” where he reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to empowering Nigerians with essential digital skills.
“Digital literacy is the foundation of our digital economy. It’s not just about operating devices or apps—it’s about unlocking opportunities for entrepreneurship, job creation, and meaningful economic participation,” Inuwa declared.
The NITDA boss highlighted the ambitious Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative, which targets achieving 70% digital literacy across all sectors by 2027. According to him, the programme is strategically designed to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide and foster inclusive development through mobile literacy campaigns, training hubs, and accessible online platforms.
“Our goal is simple yet transformative—to ensure every Nigerian, whether in urban or rural areas, has the digital skills required to thrive in the modern economy. A digitally literate nation is a prosperous nation,” Inuwa asserted.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s technological transformation, Inuwa traced the country’s digital journey back to 2001, when fewer than 500,000 Nigerians had access to computers and the ICT sector contributed less than 0.5% to GDP. Today, over 130 million Nigerians are connected to the internet, with ICT now accounting for more than 17% of the national GDP.
He highlighted key policy milestones, including the introduction of the National IT Policy and the establishment of NITDA in 2001, the NITDA Act of 2007, and the 2012 policy shift that fully integrated ICT into national life. By 2019, Nigeria had embraced a full-fledged digital economy, leveraging technology as a growth enabler across multiple sectors.
Inuwa also noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda positions digital innovation as a core pillar for economic diversification, particularly in areas such as industrialisation, creative industries, manufacturing, and public service delivery.
“Technology is no longer just an enabler—it is the driving force for achieving national goals. Whether in agriculture, oil and gas, healthcare, education, or finance, technology is essential for progress,” he said.
He added that the Renewed Hope Agenda provides a framework for using technology to transform critical sectors, improve governance, and create a resilient and inclusive Nigeria.
Inuwa emphasized that economic reform is a continuous journey, not a destination. “Reforming the economy to deliver sustained, inclusive growth is not about reaching a finish line. It must be a constant process of improvement and innovation,” he stated.
The NITDA chief also unveiled eight strategic pillars guiding the agency’s digital transformation agenda:
- Foster Digital Literacy and Cultivate Talent
- Build a Robust Technology Research Ecosystem
- Strengthen Policy Implementation and Legal Framework
- Promote Inclusive Access to Digital Infrastructure and Services
- Strengthen Cybersecurity and Enhance Digital Trust
- Nurture an Innovative and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
- Forge Strategic Partnerships and Collaboration
- Cultivate a Vibrant Organisational Culture and Agile Workforce
“These are deliberate strategies designed to build a resilient and prosperous economy. Our future depends on how well we equip our people with digital skills. If we get this right, Nigeria will not only create jobs and foster innovation but will also emerge as a global leader in the digital economy,” Inuwa concluded.
