The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has underscored the importance of accessibility in Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda following the completion of a two-day digital literacy training for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Abuja.
The programme, organised under NITDA’s Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative, trained 50 participants in practical digital skills aimed at improving their participation in the country’s fast-growing digital economy.
Speaking at the event, NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, said the initiative reflects the agency’s firm commitment to ensuring that inclusivity remains central to national digital development efforts.
According to him, meaningful digital advancement cannot be achieved without deliberately including persons with disabilities, noting that millions of Nigerians are still limited by the absence of accessible and inclusive digital platforms.
“In many cases, the problem is not the absence of digital tools but the lack of accessibility. Platforms that do not support assistive technologies, non-captioned content and inaccessible websites effectively shut people out and limit opportunities,” he said.
Inuwa who added that the training aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which identifies inclusivity as a key driver of sustainable national development, stressed that persons with disabilities should be viewed 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 Director-General commended Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) and SIMBED for their roles in delivering the programme, describing the collaboration as a practical example of how partnerships between government and civil society can accelerate inclusive development.
Highlighting NITDA’s wider digital literacy objectives, Inuwa said the DL4ALL initiative is a major pillar of the agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan, which targets 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027 and 95 per cent by 2030.
He explained that the programme operates through three tracks: an informal sector initiative that has trained over 480,000 Nigerians across 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory since September 2024; an education sector track focused on integrating digital skills into learning institutions; and a workforce readiness programme designed to strengthen digital competence across public and private sectors.
“This programme is not merely a pilot. It is proof that inclusive and intentional training works, and that persons with disabilities can excel when given equal opportunities,” Inuwa stated.
Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SIMBED, Mr Daniel Onunkwo, described the training as a critical step toward bridging the digital inclusion gap for persons with disabilities.
He said the initiative sends a strong message on equity and national progress, adding that SIMBED remains committed to expanding digital empowerment for PWDs.
Similarly, the Executive Director of Inclusive Friends Association, Grace Jerry, represented by Tracy Agbamu, praised NITDA for what she described as intentional leadership in advancing inclusion under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
She urged participants to continuously apply the skills acquired and to act as digital inclusion advocates within their respective communities.
The training further reinforces NITDA’s vision of a digitally inclusive Nigeria, where access to digital opportunities is driven by empowerment and innovation rather than physical ability.
