Modupe Olalere
Imagine one million Nigerians mastering digital tools, launching startups, and accessing global markets, all powered by free ICT hubs in remote villages. The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) leads this charge with bold plans to deploy 1,600 community ICT centres nationwide. Director General Kashifu Inuwa declares, “Our target is to build more than 1,600 across the country”. These efforts target underserved areas, equipping citizens with the skills to thrive in Nigeria’s rapidly growing digital economy.
NITDA aligns these moves with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, prioritizing digitization for all. Inuwa adds, “We want every community, every Nigerian to be part of this national prosperity and inclusivity when it comes to the digital economy”. By 2027, NITDA aims to achieve a 70% digital literacy rate, reaching students, traders, and artisans in every local government area.
NITDA begins its expansion with a new community ICT centre in Lagos’ Akesan area, setting the model for nationwide rollout. These hubs offer free access to computers, the internet, and training, directly serving one million people over the coming years. Inuwa stresses, “The President wants to drive that inclusivity by directing us to design, conceptualize, and build these kinds of centers in underserved and unserved communities”.
Each centre acts as a launchpad for the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, teaching coding, data analysis, and digital marketing. Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Olatunbosun Alake, notes the facility supports startups and provides regulatory advice for safe innovation. Rural dwellers gain tools to sell farm produce online or freelance remotely, closing the urban-rural tech gap.
Partnerships amplify reach: NITDA teams with NYSC and the Ministry of Education to train transport workers and market traders. One centre already trains dozens daily, with plans to replicate in 774 local governments. Women and youth lead sign-ups, proving ICT centres spark immediate community change.
NITDA’s National Digital Literacy Framework pushes for 95% literacy by 2030, with hands-on programmes. The agency rolls out training in all 774 local government areas, targeting artisans and students. Inuwa highlights partnerships extending skills to everyday workers.
The National Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy (NGDIS) targets women and girls, boosting their digital access. Presented at the UN’s CSW69, it promotes literacy, infrastructure, and safe online spaces. NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, calls NGDIS key to gender parity in tech.
These programmes link to AI and the growth of the digital economy, with NITDA backing women-led initiatives. Inuwa reaffirmed this during recent events, advocating inclusive tech for people with special needs. Trainees learn the basics of AI, enabling them to build apps or analyze data for local businesses.
Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) anchors these efforts on eight pillars, including innovation and regulations. NITDA deploys mobile labs to remote areas, ensuring no one is excluded. Early results show thousands gaining certificates for tech jobs.
NITDA fosters public-private partnerships, drawing in Google and local firms for literacy drives. Community leaders report higher school attendance as kids access online learning. Farmers use apps for weather forecasts, to cut losses and boost yields.
NITDA collaborates with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs on NGDIS, aligning with the SDGs to advance economic empowerment. Joint workshops train thousands in digital safety and entrepreneurship. This teamwork ensures programmes scale fast.
The agency partners with Lagos State for the first ICT centre, blending federal vision with local execution. Alake praises it as a hub for creatives building global solutions. Similar deals target northern and eastern states next.
NYSC camps now host NITDA bootcamps, transforming corps members into digital trainers. Graduates return home to teach families, multiplying impact. Private firms sponsor equipment, cutting costs.
NITDA engages startups via centre incubators, offering mentorship and funding links. Young innovators test apps on real users, accelerating growth. Inuwa envisions these hubs birthing Nigeria’s next tech unicorns.
International backing strengthens efforts: UN recognition spotlights Nigeria’s model. NITDA shares blueprints with African peers, positioning Nigeria as a leader.
Villagers in Akesan flock to the new centre, learning e-commerce in weeks. A trader shares how online sales tripled her income. Such stories repeat as centres open.
Youth unemployment declined in pilot areas, with 3MTT alumni landing remote gigs. Coders from rural hubs contribute to national platforms. Parents see kids code apps, inspiring more sign-ups.
Women gain confidence: NGDIS participants launch online shops safely. One mother trains as a data analyst, helping her family. These wins fuel demand for more centres.
Artisans digitize crafts, reaching buyers abroad via the centre’s Wi-Fi. Tailors and welders join, blending trades with technology. NITDA tracks progress and adjusts for maximum reach.
In a groundbreaking effort to close Nigeria’s digital gap, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is deploying community ICT centres in rural areas nationwide. These hubs provide free access to computers, reliable internet, and essential digital skills training. By focusing on underserved regions, NITDA empowers citizens with the tools to participate in today’s digital economy.
The centres serve as local innovation spaces where farmers can market their produce online, artisans can digitize their crafts, and youth can learn coding and digital marketing. This initiative complements Nigeria’s broader goal of achieving widespread digital literacy by 2027. Partnerships with government agencies, tech firms, and organizations such as NYSC help extend the programme’s reach and impact nationwide.
Early results indicate promising social and economic changes: increased income for traders, new job opportunities for young people, and greater digital participation among women and marginalized groups. By fostering grassroots digital inclusion, NITDA is transforming remote communities into active contributors to Nigeria’s growing tech ecosystem.