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By Chinenye Anuforo
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has called on state governments to take decisive action in driving digital literacy initiatives, warning that the country’s ambitious target of achieving 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030 cannot be realised without strong sub-national commitment.
Inuwa made the appeal while addressing participants virtually at the South-South Regional ICT Stakeholders Forum, where policymakers, technology leaders, civil society organisations and ecosystem players gathered to explore strategies for accelerating digital transformation in the region.
According to him, while federal frameworks and national policies provide direction, meaningful progress depends on how effectively states domesticate and implement these initiatives.
“Our 95 per cent digital literacy target requires ownership at the state level. Implementation must go beyond policy declarations to structured programmes with measurable outcomes,” he said.
The NITDA boss noted that digital literacy forms the backbone of inclusive economic growth and competitiveness in an increasingly technology-driven global economy. He explained that under the National Digital Literacy Framework, digital skills have already been embedded into school curricula in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education.
Teachers nationwide are undergoing capacity-building programmes to equip them with the tools needed to deliver technology-enabled learning. Inuwa urged South-South states to ensure that educators in both public and private institutions actively participate in the initiative to avoid regional disparities in digital competence.
He also referenced the Nigerian Startup Act as a complementary policy framework designed to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship. However, he observed that while several states have established ICT ministries and agencies, some still lack comprehensive enabling laws and governance structures necessary to drive effective implementation.
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Beyond the education sector, Inuwa highlighted efforts to strengthen digital capacity within the public service. In partnership with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, over 54,000 federal civil servants have enrolled in structured digital skills training programmes. He disclosed that similar initiatives are being considered for rollout across South-South states to enhance governance efficiency and improve public service delivery.
On partnerships, the Director General pointed to collaborations with Cisco, which offer access to self-paced digital certification courses, and with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), whose digital champions conduct grassroots sensitisation in markets, worship centres, motor parks and among senior citizens.
He stressed that expanding digital inclusion requires coordinated efforts among federal and state governments, private sector actors and civil society organisations.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation in Cross River State, Dr Justin Atiang Beshel, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to leveraging technology for sustainable development.
Beshel said Cross River is prioritising broadband expansion and digital infrastructure as key enablers of e-government services, innovation, skills development and job creation. He noted that improved connectivity would unlock economic opportunities and enhance service delivery across the state.
Despite challenges such as limited rural connectivity and funding constraints for large-scale ICT projects, the Commissioner expressed confidence that strategic collaboration with NITDA and private sector stakeholders would help bridge existing gaps.
He maintained that sustained investment, policy alignment and coordinated action are essential to positioning Cross River and the broader South-South region as competitive players in Nigeria’s expanding digital economy.
