NITDA Rewards Eight Corps Members With ₦3.5m, Laptops
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA has presented a cash award of ₦3.5 million and eight laptops to outstanding corps members serving as Digital Literacy Champions under its digital inclusion initiative.
The presentation was made by the Director-General of NITDA, Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, during a courtesy visit to the National Youth Service Corps headquarters in Abuja.
Abdullahi was received by the NYSC Director-General, Brig. Gen. Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, alongside members of the scheme’s management team and corps members.
Speaking during the visit, the NITDA boss said the engagement was aimed at strengthening collaboration between the agency and the NYSC in the implementation of Nigeria’s Digital Literacy Framework.
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He noted that the partnership would help accelerate the Federal Government’s target of achieving 70 per cent digital literacy nationwide by 2025.
Abdullahi described digital literacy as critical to national development, innovation and economic growth, adding that the framework was developed to equip citizens with foundational skills in information and data literacy, digital content creation and innovation.
According to him, the framework is being implemented through strategic partnerships, particularly with the NYSC, to ensure nationwide impact.
He explained that under the “Digital Literacy for All” initiative, corps members are trained and deployed as Digital Literacy Champions to educate citizens in communities across the country.
The NITDA Director-General disclosed that the agency plans to recruit 80 corps members in each state of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, who will be trained to deliver daily digital literacy sessions in markets, motor parks, religious centres, senior citizens’ hubs and other public spaces.
He added that the initiative was designed not only to promote digital inclusion but also to equip corps members with practical skills that would enhance their employability and entrepreneurial potential.
Abdullahi further stated that participants would have access to NITDA’s online learning platforms to deepen their digital competencies.
During the ceremony, eight corps members who distinguished themselves in the programme were presented with laptops and a combined cash reward of ₦3.5 million.
A dummy cheque and the laptops were handed over to the NYSC Director-General and the beneficiaries.
Additional awards and laptops were also presented to the Mind the Gap Foundation; Dr Stephen Ambore, Chief Executive Officer of Tripod Professional Services Limited; and Mrs Ajayi Funmilayo of the Community Development Service and Special Projects Unit for their contributions to the initiative.
In his remarks, Nafiu commended NITDA for its commitment to strengthening digital skills development across the country.
He described the relationship between the two organisations as longstanding and cordial, reaffirming the scheme’s readiness to support initiatives that empower young Nigerians and promote national development.
The NYSC Director-General noted that with over 650,000 graduates participating in the scheme annually, the partnership provides a strategic platform for equipping youths with essential digital skills.
He added that improving digital literacy among corps members would help reduce unemployment, enhance productivity and increase participation in the digital economy.
Nafiu expressed confidence that the collaboration would continue to produce digitally skilled, self-reliant and employable graduates to drive Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
