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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Christian Blind Mission (CBM) Nigeria have called for greater investment in accessible digital infrastructure, technologies and skills to ensure Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) have equal access to Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
The organisations made the call yesterday in Lagos at the opening of a two-day Digital Citizenship Training for PWDs in Lagos State, organised by the NCC.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, represented by the Director, Digital Economy, NCC, Ms Helen Obi, said Nigeria’s digital transformation must be inclusive, accessible and people-centred.
Maida said the digital economy had become central to communication, education, trade, financial services and productivity, warning that PWDs could be excluded when digital products and services were not designed with accessibility in mind.
“Participation in the digital economy now requires more than basic internet access; it requires appropriate devices, affordable and reliable broadband, digital skills, accessible platforms, and secure systems,” he said.
According to him, digital citizenship goes beyond operating a smartphone or computer, as it also involves the ability to participate safely online, protect personal information, recognise scams and misinformation, safeguard digital identity, and understand digital rights and responsibilities.
He said technology could be particularly transformative for PWDs by removing barriers to education and employment, supporting entrepreneurship and remote work, improving access to information and public services, and promoting greater independence through assistive technologies.
Maida said the NCC had implemented several initiatives to promote digital inclusion, including School Knowledge Centres, Information Resource Centres, university connectivity projects, e-Health interventions and its E-Accessibility Project, which provides ICT tools and assistive technologies to institutions supporting PWDs.
He also highlighted the NCC Hackathon, themed “Technology Without Barriers,” as well as an assistive walking-stick prototype developed through the NCC Professorial Chair Initiative.
The NCC boss urged participants to see themselves as active contributors to the digital economy, stressing that their skills and ideas could be enhanced through technology.
“Your talents, ideas, businesses and aspirations have value, and technology can help take them further,” he said.
Also speaking, CBM Nigeria Country Programme Manager, Michael Idah, described disability inclusion as “both a development priority and a human rights imperative.”
Idah urged government to invest more in accessible infrastructure and inclusive policies, while calling on the private sector to create more employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for PWDs.
He challenged the participants to become “champions of digital inclusion,” stressing that Nigeria’s digital economy must be built to accommodate everyone.
“The future of Nigeria’s digital economy must be one in which no one is left behind,” he said.
