BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has unveiled the National Digital Literacy Dashboard to identify underserved communities, while guiding the strategic allocation of resources.
Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi disclosed this at the National Digital Literacy Workshop in Abuja with the theme: “Measuring Progress, Strengthening Partnerships, Accelerating Impact.”
Designed to provide a common platform for stakeholders to report digital literacy interventions, the dashboard would also monitor Nigeria’s target of achieving 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030, as well as bolstering coordination and accountability.
Already, 248 organisations are reporting on the platform, with submissions hitting approximately 2.76 million since January 2022, just as the reported activities covered all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Abdullahi informed that female participation accounted for approximately 32.9 percent of recorded participation, harping on the need for more inclusive interventions that adequately reach women, rural communities and persons with disabilities.
The NITDA boss stated that the dashboard was more than a technology platform, describing it as a tool for evidence-based human capital development and improved national coordination.
He said: “The dashboard helps us track interventions and participation. We must complement it with credible assessments of what Nigerians can actually do.
“We must understand what competencies people acquired. We must examine how they apply those competencies and we must increasingly understand the value created in their lives and communities.”
Abdullahi noted that recorded training achievements should not automatically be regarded as proof of digital proficiency, highlighting the need to measure outcomes beyond the number of people trained.
He stated that the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative, launched in 2024, seeks to translate the framework into practical interventions through formal education, workforce development and informal-sector training.
The NITDA boss explained that the national digital literacy agenda targets 70 per cent literacy by 2027 and 95 per cent by 2030, saying that achieving the goals would require coordinated action from the Federal and state governments, educational institutions, industry, development partners and civil society organisations.
He enjoined organisations implementing digital literacy programmes to register on the dashboard, report eligible interventions and provide credible supporting information to minimise duplication and improve resource allocation.
The Acting Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Adetunji Adeyemo praised NITDA and its partners for advancing the country’s digital transformation agenda.
He described digital literacy as a fundamental requirement for meaningful participation in the modern economy and society, adding that the Federal Government’s targets reflected its determination to make Nigerians active and productive participants in the digital economy rather than mere consumers of technology.
Adeyemo acknowledged NITDA’s efforts in developing the National Digital Literacy Framework, mobilising stakeholders and establishing the dashboard to strengthen reporting of interventions across the country.
He informed that the progress should be measured not only by the number of people trained but by their confidence, demonstrated digital proficiency and ability to apply acquired skills to improve their livelihoods.
“Our success must ultimately not be measured only by the numbers of people trained, but by the confidence Nigerians acquire in how effective they apply those skills to improve their lives. This is why today’s emphasis on measurement is particularly important.
“We must progressively strengthen the credibility of national data, distinguish training practices from demonstrated digital proficiency, and build a reliable basis for assessing programmes towards our targets,” he added.
The Acting Perm Sec sought stronger collaboration among state governments, educational institutions, development partners, technology companies, civil society and the private sector, noting that achieving the national targets is a shared responsibility.
He enjoined stakeholders to improve the quality of programme data, ensuring that interventions adequately reached women, persons with disabilities, underserved communities and other vulnerable populations.
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