The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has partnered with the Ministry of Education to transform Nigeria’s educational system as part of its mission to promote digital literacy, develop talents, and equip Nigerians with the necessary information and skills.
This innovative attempt to fully incorporate digital literacy into Nigeria’s educational system was revealed on Friday when DG NITDA Kashifu Inuwa and his management team paid a courtesy call to the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa.
The collaboration is a key component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ambitious Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to give young Nigerians the essential skills they need to succeed in the quickly changing digital economy.
In order to meet the short-term goal of 70% and the long-term goal of 95% digital literacy by 2030, this initiative aims to integrate digital literacy into all educational levels in Nigeria, beginning with the foundational stages in kindergarten and continuing through secondary schools and tertiary institutions.
Inuwa emphasised in the discussion the importance of developing a digitally literate populace, emphasising how digital skills have the power to change economies and lives.
“The future is digital, and the world is evolving faster than ever. If we are to prepare our youth for tomorrow’s challenges, we must begin with today’s education. This collaboration with the Ministry of Education is a bold step toward ensuring that no Nigerian child is left behind in this journey toward global competitiveness and innovation,” he remarked.
The program, according to Inuwa, intends to close the digital gap and guarantee that every Nigerian child is suitably equipped to engage in a global economy that is becoming more and more characterised by digital transformation.
In his response, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa praised NITDA’s forward-thinking approach and affirmed the Ministry’s unwavering support for the initiative. “Education remains the foundation upon which national development is built. We are ready to partner with relevant stakeholders to embed digital literacy into our educational framework and empower our children with the tools and skills they need to not only adapt to change but to drive it,” he said.
With CISCO, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), the National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), the National Mathematical Centre (NMC), the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEC), and other stakeholders involved, there is already a shared commitment to creating an inclusive and technology-driven educational ecosystem.
As Nigeria enters the Fourth Industrial Revolution, this ecosystem will enable young Nigerians to lead, develop, and compete globally in addition to consuming technology.
From curriculum creation to teacher training and capacity building, the combined endeavour will address a variety of digital literacy-related issues. Modern digital tools and infrastructure will also be implemented throughout educational institutions.
This all-encompassing strategy aims to give children practical experience with technology while fostering critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving abilities in them from a young age.
Additionally, by equipping teachers with the necessary skills to effectively teach digital literacy and revolutionise the entire teaching and learning process in Nigeria, the alliance hopes to have an impact outside of the classroom. By guaranteeing equitable access to digital resources in underprivileged and rural regions, it will also concentrate on resolving regional inequities, ensuring that no teacher or kid is left behind.
The involvement of key stakeholders like CISCO, NBTE, NUC, NTI, NMC, and UBEC further strengthens the initiative. Their combined expertise and resources will provide a robust framework for implementing the partnership’s goals. From introducing cutting-edge technology in schools to fostering a culture of innovation, the collaboration is poised to redefine what education means in Nigeria.
This program supports Nigeria’s overarching objective of establishing itself as a leader on the continent in innovation and digital transformation. Nigerian young are in the vanguard of this transition, poised to seize the opportunities afforded by a world gone digital as technology continues to shape the global economy.
The collaboration also demonstrates the federal government’s dedication to integrating digital literacy into inclusive and sustainable development and transforming Nigerian education to meet the needs of the contemporary world.
