In continuation of its quest to advance digital literacy to all parts of the country, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has set up a scheme that will ensure that digital knowledge and skills go through all States in Nigeria.
The Digital Literacy and Skills Programme for States, tagged ‘the Digital States Programme’ is part of the Agency’s roadmap towards the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria, laid out by the federal government through the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
Contained in a statement signed by NITDA’s Head, Corporate Affairs and External Relations, Mrs Hadiza Umar, the Digital States Programme, designed as one of the implementation strategies of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria, is aimed at equipping Nigerian youths with the necessary digital literacy skills that can facilitate Nigeria’s transition to the Digital Economy.
According to the statement, specific areas of focus for the programme will include Information Technology Management of Productivity Tools; Understanding Digital Marketing and Basics of Content Creation; and Entrepreneurial Skills including Basics of Career Development.
Mrs. Umar, through the official statement, affirmed that: “The programme is aimed at training about 540 youths from each state of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. It is expected that about 20,000 Nigerians will benefit from the programme.”
Registration for the first phase of the programme commenced on Monday March 8, 2021 with Gombe, Kano, Lagos and Rivers States billed to benefit from this first phase while the schedule for subsequent phases will be advertised in due course. Registration guidelines are published on the NITDA Academy website.
NITDA, established in April 2001 to implement the Nigerian Information Technology Policy as well as coordinate general IT development and regulation in the country, is a Federal Government Agency under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
