The Federal Government is giving priority to efforts to position Nigeria as a major hub for talent and innovation in Africa, according to Kashifu Inuwa, director general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
Inuwa made this statement at the concluding ceremony of a five-day digital literacy workshop for 60 participants organized by NITDA in Oyo town, Oyo, on mainstream rural women participation and gender techpreneurship and the provision of IT tools.
The NITDA DG, who was represented by the Ag. Director of Corporate Planning and Strategy, Dr. Aristotle Onumo, also exhorted the participants to make use of the knowledge and skills the training provided them in order to create new paths for their futures in the digital economy.
Inuwa described the training programme as a means of “empowering the youths and stimulating the creativity in improving the studious skills of our young people so that they can play their critical roles in the digital economy space.”
“We also hope that all that you have learnt today will not stop here but you will become an advocate of the digital economy programmes by reaching out to your own people and teaching them what you have learnt,” he added.
The NITDA boss emphasised the importance of creating a supportive environment to maximize the benefits of the digital economy and technology for individuals and communities, including the agency’s beneficiaries.
The facilitator of the training and Chairman, House Committee on Communications, Honourable Prince Akeem Adeyemi commended the efforts of the Agency and its supervisory ministry, the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy for ensuring that digital literacy is penetrating every nook and cranny of the country.
He said, “NITDA has been living to expectation by ensuring that the economy of this country is being driven not only by oil but by ICT.”
Adeyemi advised the youths to utilise this skill and knowledge the training offered them and ensure that the community also benefit from it.
“We shall not rest on our oars until critical mass of our youth benefitted from the digital literacy,” he added.
Participants at the five-day training were equipped with a laptop, internet dongle and cash stipend for the establishment of micro-enterprises.