The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has renewed its commitment to building a truly inclusive digital future, following the completion of a two-day digital literacy training for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Abuja.
Held under NITDA’s Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative, the programme brought together 50 participants and focused on practical digital skills designed to help them participate more fully in Nigeria’s fast-growing digital economy.
Beyond the training itself, the programme served as a reminder that digital progress must leave no one behind.
Speaking at the close of the programme, Kashifu Inuwa NITDA’s director-general, described the initiative as a reflection of the agency’s resolve to place accessibility and inclusion at the heart of Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.
According to him, true digital advancement cannot be achieved if persons with disabilities remain excluded from the tools and platforms shaping modern life.
He noted that millions of Nigerians continue to face invisible barriers, not because technology does not exist, but because it is often not designed with accessibility in mind.
“In many cases, the challenge is not the absence of digital tools, but the lack of accessibility,” Inuwa said. “When platforms do not support assistive technologies, lack captions, or remain inaccessible, they unintentionally shut people out and limit their opportunities.”
Inuwa explained that the training aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places inclusivity at the centre of national development. He stressed that persons with disabilities should be seen not as dependants, but as capable contributors to Nigeria’s economic and social growth.
“When given the right skills and the right technologies, persons with disabilities become innovators, entrepreneurs and professionals who contribute meaningfully across every sector of the economy,” he added.
He also acknowledged the contributions of Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) and SIMBED, describing the collaboration as a powerful example of how partnerships between government and civil society can drive lasting, inclusive impact.
Highlighting NITDA’s broader digital literacy efforts, the Director-General said the DL4ALL programme is a cornerstone of the agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan, which aims to achieve 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027 and 95 per cent by 2030.
He explained that the initiative is delivered through three key tracks: an informal sector programme that has trained over 480,000 Nigerians across 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory since September 2024; an education-focused track that integrates digital skills into learning institutions; and a workforce readiness programme designed to strengthen digital competence across both public and private sectors.
“This is not just a pilot programme,” Inuwa said. “It is proof that intentional, inclusive training works, and that persons with disabilities can excel when given equal opportunities.”
Also speaking, Mr Daniel Onunkwo, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SIMBED, described the training as an important step toward closing the digital inclusion gap for persons with disabilities.
He said the initiative sends a clear message that equity is essential to national progress, adding that SIMBED remains committed to expanding digital empowerment opportunities for PWDs.
Similarly, Grace Jerry, the executive director of Inclusive Friends Association, represented by Tracy Agbamu, praised NITDA for demonstrating intentional leadership in promoting inclusion under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
She encouraged participants to continue applying the skills they have acquired and to become advocates for digital inclusion within their communities.
The programme, stakeholders noted, reinforces NITDA’s vision of a digitally inclusive Nigeria—one where access to opportunity is shaped not by physical ability, but by empowerment, innovation and shared progress.
