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The Nigerian government has rolled out a Digital Literacy Training Programme for federal civil servants. It is aimed at equipping them with essential digital skills to navigate modern tools and technologies effectively.
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This initiative is a joint effort between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation. It signals a commitment to building a digitally competent workforce that will enhance productivity and contribute to national economic growth.
Transforming the Civil Service Through Digital Skills
Speaking at the launch of the three-day workshop on digital literacy training and certification in Abuja, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director-General of NITDA, emphasized that digital transformation is not just about adopting technology but about empowering people.
“Digital transformation is a journey, not a destination, and it is fundamentally about people,” Abdullahi said. “Without the active involvement of individuals, technology alone cannot drive meaningful change. Government policies, services, and citizen engagement all depend on a workforce that is skilled in leveraging digital tools.”
NITDA’s Strategic Initiatives to Boost Digital Literacy
To achieve the ambitious target of 70% digital literacy by 2027, NITDA has launched a robust initiative called Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL). The initiative seeks to make Nigerians digitally literate and proficient across all sectors of society.
Abdullahi outlined three major pillars of the initiative.
- Education-Centered Curriculum Development:
- Collaboration with the Ministry of Education has led to the development of a digital literacy skills curriculum, now being implemented nationwide.
- Training programs for teachers are in progress, with plans to integrate digital literacy into curricula across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education in collaboration with the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).
- NYSC Digital Literacy Champions:
- Partnering with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to recruit 80 digital literacy champions in each NYSC stream. This initiative aims to train over 10.3 million Nigerians annually in digital literacy.
- Workforce Readiness:
- With projections from the World Bank suggesting that 35-45% of jobs in Nigeria will require digital competency by 2030, this pillar focuses on preparing the workforce for the digital age.
Empowering the Civil Service for a Technology-Driven Future
Mrs. Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood, Permanent Secretary of the Career Management Office and representative of the Head of Service of the Federation, reiterated the government’s vision of transforming the civil service into a dynamic, technology-driven, and globally competitive workforce.
“This workshop is more than just a training exercise; it is a pivotal opportunity to shape the future of Nigeria’s public service,” Mahmood stated.
She highlighted that the program equips participants with cutting-edge tools and knowledge to deliver their mandates more effectively, driving national progress.
Mahmood also lauded the collaboration between the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation and NITDA, emphasizing that such partnerships are key to achieving shared goals and leveraging the power of digital technology for meaningful change.
Collaborative Efforts and Gratitude
The workshop underscores the importance of cross-sector collaboration in addressing Nigeria’s digital literacy gaps. Mahmood expressed gratitude to NITDA and other organizations involved, acknowledging their contributions to making this transformative vision a reality.
“This collaboration exemplifies the power of working together to harness digital technology for the benefit of Nigeria’s public service and overall development,” she added.
