NITDA Trains PWDs, Reaffirms Commitment to Inclusive Digital Development
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NITDA Trains PWDs, Reaffirms Commitment to Inclusive Digital Development
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has restated its commitment to inclusive digital development following the completion of a two-day digital literacy training for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Abuja on Tuesday.
The training, organised under the agency’s Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative, equipped 50 participants with practical digital skills aimed at improving their participation in Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, said the programme reflects the agency’s determination to ensure that accessibility remains central to the country’s digital transformation drive.
He said true digital progress cannot be achieved without the inclusion of persons with disabilities, noting that many Nigerians are still excluded due to inaccessible digital platforms.
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“In many cases, the challenge is not the absence of digital tools, but lack of accessibility. Platforms that do not support assistive technologies, non-captioned content and inaccessible websites shut people out and limit opportunities,” Inuwa said.
He explained that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises inclusivity as a key driver of national development.
According to him, persons with disabilities should be seen as contributors to economic growth rather than dependants.
“When equipped with the right skills and technologies, persons with disabilities become innovators, entrepreneurs and professionals who contribute meaningfully across sectors,” he added.
The NITDA boss acknowledged the roles of Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) and SIMBED in implementing the training, describing the collaboration as a model for advancing inclusive development through government–civil society partnership.
He also highlighted NITDA’s broader digital literacy efforts, noting that the DL4ALL programme is a key component of the agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan, which targets 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027 and 95 per cent by 2030.
Inuwa said the initiative operates through three major tracks: an informal sector programme that has trained over 480,000 Nigerians across 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory since September 2024; an education sector programme focused on embedding digital skills in schools; and a workforce readiness programme aimed at strengthening digital competence in the public and private sectors.
“This programme is not just a pilot. It shows that inclusive and intentional training works and that persons with disabilities can excel when given equal opportunities,” he said.
Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SIMBED, Daniel Onunkwo, described the training as a major step towards closing the digital inclusion gap for persons with disabilities.
He said the initiative sends a strong message on equity and national development, adding that SIMBED remains committed to expanding digital empowerment for persons with disabilities.
Similarly, the Executive Director of Inclusive Friends Association, Grace Jerry, represented by Tracy Agbamu, commended NITDA for what she described as intentional leadership in promoting inclusion under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
She urged the participants to put the skills acquired to use and to serve as advocates of digital inclusion in their communities.
