NITDA Strengthens Commitment to Digital Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities

NITDA Strengthens Commitment to Digital Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities

By Gloria Sarauniya Usman

ABUJA, NIGERIA January, 2026

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has strengthened its commitment to inclusive digital development following the completion of a two-day digital literacy training for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Abuja, under its Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative. The programme equipped 50 participants with practical digital skills aimed at improving their participation in Nigeria’s growing digital economy.

Speaking at the event, NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, said digital transformation cannot be fully realised without deliberate inclusion of persons with disabilities. He noted that barriers to participation often stem from inaccessible digital platforms rather than a lack of tools, stressing that non-captioned content, unsupported assistive technologies and poorly designed websites continue to exclude millions of Nigerians.

Inuwa explained that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places inclusivity at the heart of national development. He emphasised that persons with disabilities should be seen as contributors to economic growth, adding that with the right skills and support, they can thrive as innovators, entrepreneurs and professionals across sectors.

He also highlighted DL4ALL as a core pillar of NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan, which targets 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027 and 95 per cent by 2030. According to him, the programme spans informal sector training, education-focused digital skills development, and workforce readiness initiatives, with over 480,000 Nigerians already trained across 30 states and the FCT.

Partners including SIMBED and Inclusive Friends Association commended NITDA’s leadership on digital inclusion, describing the training as a significant step towards closing the digital divide for persons with disabilities. The programme, stakeholders said, reinforces NITDA’s vision of a digitally inclusive Nigeria where opportunity is driven by empowerment and innovation, not physical limitations.