In the heart of Abuja, two national agencies are weaving a story of hope, one that blends compassion with innovation, and purpose with progress.
When Kashifu Inuwa, director general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), welcomed the leadership of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) to NITDA’s corporate headquarters, it wasn’t just another high-level meeting, it was the next chapter in a growing alliance to ensure no Nigerian is left behind in the digital age.
With over 6.1 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) across the country due to conflict, insurgency, and natural disasters, and thousands more living as refugees abroad, Nigeria faces a humanitarian crisis that calls for more than shelter. It calls for opportunity, empowerment, and digital inclusion.
A Renewed Alliance for Digital Empowerment
DG Inuwa reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to extending inclusive digital transformation to Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations. Building on past collaboration with NCFRMI, including staff training and ICT support, he announced a revitalized strategy aimed at bringing customized digital literacy programs to resettlement cities and IDP camps nationwide.
“We are scaling up this collaboration, not just with new IT equipment, but with community-focused digital literacy interventions that meet displaced persons where they are,” said Inuwa.
The initiative forms a key part of NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2024–2027), which targets 70% digital literacy by 2027, in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
From Displacement to Digital Skills: A Model for Sustainable Resettlement
NITDA’s action plan includes:
- Deploying NYSC members to lead ICT training in camps and communities
- Creating digital learning centers with shared smart devices
- Installing tailored ICT infrastructure to support local needs
- Partnering with international tech organisations to establish innovation hubs in IDP camps across the Federal Capital Territory
The focus is on sustainability and scalability, with plans to design replicable models that can be deployed across Nigeria.
“It’s not enough to bring tech, we must build ecosystems that support growth, education, and dignity,” Inuwa emphasized.
Beyond Technology: A Vision of Human Dignity and National Unity
Tijani Aliyu Ahmed, Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI, echoed the DG’s vision, praising NITDA’s leadership and reaffirming the commission’s commitment to restoring dignity to displaced families.
“This partnership is not just about gadgets and screens, it’s about giving people back their futures,” he said.
He outlined NCFRMI’s broader strategy, which includes:
- Developing resettlement cities in Borno, Kano, Zamfara, Katsina, and Nasarawa
- Building schools, hospitals, markets, and training centers for displaced families
- Promoting vocational and agricultural programs for self-reliance
With digital literacy now critical for modern life, from computer-based testing (like JAMB exams) to accessing healthcare and government services, the Commissioner stressed the urgency of ensuring that displaced children and youth gain ICT skills to secure their futures.
A Call to Action: Building a Digital Nigeria That Includes Everyone
Together, NITDA and NCFRMI are not just bridging the digital divide, they are transforming displacement into opportunity.
By combining technology, education, and compassion, they are building a model of inclusive growth that can serve as a blueprint for Africa and beyond.
“The future belongs to those who build it today,” Inuwa concluded. “And we are building a future where every Nigerian—no matter where they come from, has the digital tools to thrive.”
