Nigeria’s digital literacy campaign gained renewed momentum as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) recognised eight outstanding corps members with ₦3.5 million and laptops for their roles as Digital Literacy Champions, underscoring a strengthened collaboration with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The presentation was made by NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, during a courtesy visit to the NYSC Headquarters in Abuja, where he was received by the NYSC Director-General, Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, alongside members of the Scheme’s management team and corps members.
The engagement focused on deepening institutional cooperation to accelerate the implementation of Nigeria’s Digital Literacy Framework and advance the Federal Government’s target of attaining 70 per cent digital literacy by 2025.
Speaking at the event, Inuwa described corps members as critical enablers of grassroots digital transformation, and explained that the Digital Literacy Framework was designed to equip citizens with foundational competencies in information and data literacy, digital content creation, and innovation—skills considered essential for competitiveness in a technology-driven economy.
According to him, the framework is being deployed through strategic alliances, particularly with the NYSC, to ensure nationwide reach.
Under the “Digital Literacy for All” initiative, corps members are trained and deployed as Digital Literacy Champions to conduct community-based sensitisation and training across the country.
Inuwa disclosed that NITDA plans to engage 80 corps members per state, including the Federal Capital Territory, to deliver daily digital literacy sessions in markets, motor parks, religious centres, senior citizens’ hubs and other public spaces.
The approach, he noted, is structured to drive digital inclusion while simultaneously enhancing corps members’ employability and entrepreneurial prospects through access to NITDA’s online learning platforms.
As part of the ceremony, eight laptops and a cumulative cash award of ₦3.5 million were presented to eight corps members who distinguished themselves in advancing community digital education. A dummy cheque and the laptops were formally handed over to the NYSC leadership and the award recipients.
Additional recognitions were conferred on the Mind the Gap Foundation; Dr Stephen Ambore, Chief Executive Officer of Tripod Professional Services Limited; and Mrs Ajayi Funmilayo of the NYSC Community Development Service and Special Projects Unit for their contributions to the initiative.
In his response, Nafiu commended NITDA’s sustained commitment to digital skills development, describing the partnership as both longstanding and strategic.
With over 650,000 graduates participating in the NYSC scheme annually, he said the collaboration provides a scalable platform for equipping young Nigerians with critical digital competencies.
He maintained that strengthening digital literacy among corps members would contribute significantly to reducing unemployment, improving productivity, and expanding participation in the digital economy.
The NYSC, he added, remains committed to producing digitally skilled, self-reliant graduates who will serve as ambassadors of Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda nationwide.
