The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has intensified efforts to bridge Nigeria’s digital inclusion gap, training over 100 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Lagos State on cybersecurity, data protection, digital citizenship and assistive technologies to enhance their safe and independent participation in the digital economy.
The participants received the training at a two-day Digital Citizenship Training for Persons with Disabilities held on September 9 and 10, 2026, in Lagos, under the theme, “Empowering Persons with Disabilities Through Digital Citizenship for an Inclusive Digital Economy.”
Beyond the acquisition of digital skills, the programme provided participants with practical knowledge to protect their personal information, identify online scams and misinformation, and navigate the digital environment with greater confidence and independence.
The training covered digital foundations, internet and digital communication, cybersecurity basics, data protection, assistive technologies and responsible participation in the digital space.
For many of the participants, the experience went beyond learning how to operate digital tools, offering fresh perspectives on online safety, personal independence and their place in an increasingly digital society.
Some participants highlighted their newfound ability to protect personal data, recognise giveaway and other online scams, and avoid disclosing sensitive information to unknown persons online. Others discovered accessibility features, including speech-to-text tools that could make everyday use of their mobile devices easier and more independent.
The programme also addressed the social realities faced by Persons with Disabilities, including discrimination, helping participants understand that some negative attitudes towards disability stem from ignorance and should not define their confidence, abilities or participation in society.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, said the initiative reflects the Commission’s commitment to building a digital Nigeria where Persons with Disabilities possess the skills, knowledge and confidence to participate meaningfully in the digital economy.
Maida, who was represented by the Director, Digital Economy Department, Helen Obi, emphasised that digital inclusion must extend beyond the provision of internet connectivity to encompass the capacity to use technology safely, responsibly and productively.
“Digital citizenship goes beyond operating a smartphone or computer; it encompasses the knowledge, skills and responsible behaviours required to participate safely and meaningfully online, protect personal information, recognise scams and misinformation, safeguard one’s digital identity, and understand digital rights and responsibilities,” Maida said.
He noted that technology could be particularly transformative for Persons with Disabilities by removing barriers to education and employment, supporting entrepreneurship and remote work, improving access to information and public services, and promoting greater independence through assistive technologies.
According to him, the Commission’s ultimate objective is to build a Nigeria where disability does not determine whether an individual can obtain an education, access public services, secure employment, start a business or contribute productively to society.
“You are not merely beneficiaries; you are important participants and contributors to Nigeria’s digital economy. Your talents, ideas, businesses and aspirations have value, and technology can help take them further,” Maida told the participants.
The Lagos training is part of a broader NCC initiative designed to provide digital skills training for Persons with Disabilities across the country’s geopolitical zones, reinforcing the Commission’s efforts to make digital participation more accessible and inclusive.
Maida said the initiative builds on the Commission’s existing interventions to expand digital access and inclusion, including its E-Accessibility Project, which provides ICT tools and assistive technologies to institutions supporting Persons with Disabilities.
He also highlighted the NCC’s support for research into assistive technology, including an assistive walking-stick prototype for blind and visually impaired persons, as well as the fourth NCC Hackathon, themed “Technology Without Barriers,” which encouraged innovators to develop solutions that promote accessibility and inclusion.
These interventions, he said, reflect the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that digital technology creates opportunities rather than introducing new barriers for vulnerable and underserved groups.
Maida stressed that connectivity alone would not guarantee meaningful digital inclusion without the requisite knowledge and confidence to use technology safely, responsibly and productively.
“The NCC remains committed to promoting connectivity, digital skills, accessibility, online safety and meaningful participation, with the goal of building a digital Nigeria where Persons with Disabilities can learn, work, do business, communicate and access services with dignity and confidence,” he said.
He called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, regulators, technology companies, service providers, development partners, civil society and Organisations of Persons with Disabilities to ensure accessibility is incorporated from the outset in the design and deployment of digital products and services.
The EVC also acknowledged the Lagos State Government, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs and other stakeholders supporting the programme.
For the more than 100 participants trained in Lagos, the intervention translated the broad concept of digital inclusion into practical everyday skills, equipping them to protect personal information, recognise potential scams, communicate through assistive technology and navigate the digital world with greater confidence and independence.