Nigeria targets 95% digital literacy by 2030 – NITDA DG, Kashifu Inuwa

The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has noted that Nigeria is targeting 95% digital literacy by 2030. He stated this while speaking at the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) training awards programme for public servants. 

In a statement seen by Technext, the NITDA Boss noted that the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s development priorities to equip Nigerians and its workforce with basic skills needed to thrive individually and at the workplace. 

He highlighted that the goal aligns with the  Federal Government’s national development priorities and forms its commitment to strengthening the digital capacity of Nigerians. Recall that President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Administration aims for a $1 trillion economy by 2030, driven by the sector. 

While the broader goal aims at equipping 95% digital literacy in four years, Inuwa noted that the mid-term goal is to achieve 70% by 2027. 

Amid the push, Nigeria is faced with significant gaps. World Bank data shows that over 50% of Nigerians lack basic skills, and 68% can use smartphones at a basic level. Also, only 39% can operate laptops or tablets. 

Among women, only 45% are aware of mobile internet, compared to 62% for men. In rural areas and northern states, literacy still drags on, meaning many cannot access online services in the first place. Also, poor infrastructure and high costs keep pushing the country’s goals outside the reality box. 

Inuwa noted that 95% digital literacy by 2030 will be driven by equipping 30 million people in the informal sector, 15 million in education, and 5 million workers with the requisite skills by 2027.

Also Read: How 230 million digital jobs will be created in Africa by 2030.

Digital Literacy: Civil servants equipped with skills

As part of its digital literacy target, NITDA implemented the DL4ALL Workforce Programme across the Federal Civil Service in collaboration with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).

According to Inuwa, the DL4ALL programme was introduced to equip civil servants with basic IT skills required to bolster their service delivery and improve governance. He added that the initiative allows civil servants to access high-quality learning with minimal financial barriers. 

The program enrolled over 45,000 civil servants per course across four foundational literacy modules, including digital awareness, using computers and mobile devices, content creation, communication and collaboration, and digital safety and security.

Nigerian civil servants at the DL4ALL award program

According to the statement, the DL4ALL Workforce Programme Final Report for 2025 showed that enrolments ranged from 45,813 to 54,377 learners per course. This translates to an estimated 65–75% coverage of the Federal Civil Service’s workforce.

“As a result, tens of thousands of civil servants have acquired foundational digital competencies, supporting the emergence of a reliable pipeline for intermediate and role-specific skills development across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs),” the statement reads. 

In breakdown, MDAs such as the Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Ministry of Defence led in overall enrolments and completions. Other smaller institutions achieved completion rates exceeding 70%.

In its 2026 plans, NITDA said the DL4ALL will advance from basic digital literacy to job-relevant and role-based digital skills. The strategy also includes supporting civil servants to advance towards certification-ready digital competencies.

Inuwa noted that the initiative positions the Federal Public Service as a more efficient, technology-driven and citizen-centred institution.

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