By Kinyiose Nwabuokei
In a significant move to implement the “Foster Digital Literacy and Cultivate Talents” pillar of the Strategic Road Map and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, NITDA, and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have announced a collaborative initiative aimed at enhancing digital literacy among Nigerian youth. The announcement was made during a meeting at the NYSC Secretariat in Abuja, highlighting the strategic importance of this partnership to Nigeria’s digital future.
The Minister of State for Youth, Ayodele Olawande Wisdom, set the tone for the collaboration, emphasizing the unity of purpose in achieving shared goals. “I appreciate this collaboration because I believe we are one family and we are working towards the same goal,” the Minister stated.
“And I also believe that if there is anything we can give, it is our commitment. Regardless of where you come from, as long as, at the end of the day, the Nigerian youth are in a better position from where they are coming from, that is what is important”
The Minister acknowledged the dedication of all involved and expressed gratitude towards the NYSC’s leadership, commitment and availability to the cause.
The Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi CCIE, emphasized the importance of leveraging technology to enhance productivity and digital skills. “We have set up the team working with your team to explore how you can infuse technology into your the NYSC process” he stated. Inuwa highlighted the ongoing collaboration, including experimenting with emerging technologies like blockchain to secure NYSC certificates and building digital skills capacity among Corp Members. “Today we are here on the bigger mission,” he added, outlining the ambitious targets set under the National Digital Literacy Framework.
Inuwa cited global research, noting a predicted 85 million talent deficit by 2030, which could result in a loss of 8.5 trillion US dollars in annual value if unaddressed. “Our human capital is our greatest resource. If we harness it well, it will help us to thrive and develop,” he said.
The collaboration aims to leverage the extensive reach of the NYSC to deepen digital literacy. “We developed the National Digital Literacy Framework with an ambitious target of achieving 95% digital literacy by 2030, with a mid-term target of 70% by 2027,” DG NITDA explained.
The framework promotes universal access to digital literacy, skills development at various proficiency levels, and workforce readiness for future digital demands.
Inuwa further detailed the implementation plan, which includes training Corp Members during their service year and using them as digital literacy ambassadors across Nigeria. “Our target is how can we leverage your platform to deepen that digital literacy,” he said.
The initiative will involve onboarding Corp Members on digital platforms, providing continuous learning opportunities, and selecting ambassadors to teach digital skills in their communities.
The collaboration reflects a united effort to equip Nigerian youth with the digital skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. As Inuwa concluded, “We need to build a tailor-made solution that will address our challenges, harness indigenous talents to promote digital solutions, and this requires the collective efforts of the government, private sectors, and all stakeholders.”
The Director General of NYSC, Brig Gen YD Ahmed, in his response, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative and NYSC’s readiness to fully engage. “This process for us in NYSC is a very good one, and there is no any iota of doubt we are going to fully collaborate with NITDA to grab the process,” he assured.
This historic partnership between the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, NITDA, and NYSC marks a significant step towards positioning Nigeria as a leader in the global digital economy, ensuring that its youth are well-prepared for the future.