By Rukayyat Sadauki
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has recognized outstanding corps members serving as Digital Literacy Champions with the presentation of ₦3.5 million and eight laptops. NITDA Director-General, Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, presented the awards as part of efforts to encourage excellence and strengthen the Agency’s partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in advancing Nigeria’s digital literacy drive.
The visit was aimed at reinforcing institutional collaboration between NITDA and the NYSC in the implementation of Nigeria’s Digital Literacy Framework and accelerating the Federal Government’s goal of achieving 70 per cent digital literacy by 2025. Malam Inuwa, made the presentation during a courtesy visit to the NYSC Headquarters in Abuja, where he was received by the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, alongside members of the management team and corps members.
NITDA DG, while speaking at the event, described the visit as an important step in strengthening the collaborative relationship between both organisations. Digital literacy plays a vital role in national development, innovation and economic growth. Digital Literacy Framework was developed to help citizens build foundational skills in information and data literacy, digital content creation and innovation.
The framework is being implemented through strategic partnerships, particularly with the NYSC, to deliver nationwide impact. He stated that under the “Digital Literacy for All” initiative, corps members are being trained and deployed as Digital Literacy Champions to educate citizens in communities across the country. NITDA plans to recruit 80 corps members in each state, including the Federal Capital Territory, who will be trained to deliver daily digital literacy sessions in public spaces such as markets, motor parks, religious centres, senior citizens’ hubs and other community locations, he added.
Mallam Inuwa, presented eight laptops and a cash award of ₦3.5 million to eight corps members who distinguished themselves as Digital Literacy Champions. A dummy cheque and the laptops were handed to the NYSC Director-General and the award recipients. The initiative is designed to promote digital inclusion while equipping corps members with practical skills that enhance their employability and entrepreneurial potential. He further stated that participants will have access to NITDA’s online learning platforms to deepen their digital competencies.
Additional awards and laptops were also presented to the Mind the Gap Foundation; Dr Stephen Ambore, Chief Executive Officer of Tripod Professional Services Limited; and Mrs Ajayi Funmilayo of the Community Development Service and Special Projects Unit, in appreciation of their contributions to the initiative.
The NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, in his remarks, commended NITDA for its commitment to strengthening digital skills development nationwide. He described the relationship between both organisations as longstanding and cordial and reaffirmed the Scheme’s commitment to supporting initiatives that empower young Nigerians and promote national development.
With more than 650,000 graduates participating in the NYSC scheme annually, the partnership creates a strategic platform for equipping youths with essential digital skills. Improving digital literacy among corps members would significantly help to reduce unemployment, enhance productivity and increase participation in the digital economy.
The NYSC DG, expressed confidence that the collaboration would continue to produce digitally skilled, self-reliant and employable graduates who will serve as ambassadors of Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda across the country.
