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NITDA Deepens Digital Inclusion Drive Through Grassroots Partnership with Cal-Maji Foundation
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding digital inclusion across Nigeria by strengthening partnerships with community-based organisations to equip underserved communities with digital skills, technology access and opportunities in the country’s growing digital economy.
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The renewed commitment was announced during a courtesy visit by the Executive Director of Cal-Maji Foundation, Mrs. Faith Ayuba, to NITDA Headquarters in Abuja, where both organisations pledged to deepen collaboration aimed at accelerating grassroots digital literacy and empowering rural communities through technology.
The partnership aligns with NITDA’s broader digital transformation agenda, which seeks to ensure that no Nigerian is excluded from the opportunities created by the country’s rapidly evolving digital economy.
NITDA Prioritises Inclusive Digital Transformation
Speaking during the visit, the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, represented by the Director of Digital Development Services, Mr. Oluwunmi Oladejo, said collaboration with community-driven organisations remains critical to achieving inclusive national digital development.
According to him, partnerships with organisations working directly within local communities enable the Agency to extend the reach and impact of its digital literacy initiatives to Nigerians who would otherwise remain digitally excluded.
“It is always gratifying to receive feedback from communities that have benefited from our interventions. Many of these projects were implemented years ago, and it is rewarding to know they are still creating opportunities,” Abdullahi said.
He noted that positive feedback from beneficiaries demonstrates the long-term value of NITDA’s investments in digital infrastructure and human capital development across the country.
National Digital Literacy Framework Driving Grassroots Empowerment
Abdullahi explained that the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF) remains the foundation of NITDA’s nationwide digital capacity-building strategy.
The framework is designed to equip Nigerians across various demographics—including children, students, artisans, farmers, professionals and entrepreneurs—with the digital competencies required to participate effectively in today’s technology-driven economy.
He disclosed that the Agency continues to monitor the performance of its digital intervention centres nationwide while leveraging emerging technologies to expand virtual learning opportunities and improve access to digital education.
According to him, digital literacy has become indispensable for national development, economic competitiveness and social inclusion.
NITDA to Strengthen Community-Based Digital Learning
Responding to requests from the Foundation for expanded collaboration, the Director-General revealed that NITDA is considering training community-based instructors who can sustain digital literacy programmes at the grassroots level.
He encouraged the Foundation to submit a formal request detailing activities carried out at its Knowledge Access Centre to facilitate further support from the Agency.
The proposed train-the-trainer approach is expected to enhance programme sustainability by developing local capacity capable of delivering continuous digital education within underserved communities.
Internet Connectivity Remains a Major Challenge
Despite the successes recorded through its intervention programmes, Abdullahi acknowledged that sustaining internet connectivity across numerous digital centres nationwide continues to pose significant financial and operational challenges.
He stressed that addressing connectivity constraints would require stronger partnerships, innovative funding models and collaborative solutions involving government, development partners and private sector stakeholders.
According to him, ensuring reliable internet access remains essential to maximising the impact of digital literacy investments across rural Nigeria.
Cal-Maji Foundation Commends NITDA’s Community Impact
Earlier, Executive Director of Cal-Maji Foundation, Mrs. Faith Ayuba, praised NITDA for its openness to collaboration and commitment to supporting impactful community initiatives.
She described the Agency as one of the few government institutions that prioritises measurable social impact over personal connections when supporting development projects.
According to Ayuba, the Foundation focuses on expanding educational opportunities, strengthening food systems, improving food security and providing social protection for women and young people, particularly in hard-to-reach rural communities.
Knowledge Access Centre Transforming Rural Education
Ayuba highlighted the impact of NITDA’s Knowledge Access Centre, established at the Foundation’s community school in a border community in Kogi State.
She said the facility has significantly improved learning outcomes by providing students and residents with access to computers, internet connectivity and digital learning resources that were previously unavailable.
“The ICT centre became an equaliser. Young people who ordinarily would never have had access to computers or the internet suddenly had the opportunity to acquire digital knowledge. We came back simply to say thank you because this partnership has changed lives.”
According to her, the centre has become a critical platform for reducing digital inequality and expanding educational opportunities in underserved communities.
Over 1,000 Children Benefit from Digital Education Initiative
Ayuba disclosed that more than 1,000 children have benefited from the Foundation’s educational programmes supported by the Knowledge Access Centre.
She also presented the success story of a former student who progressed from the community school to a Nigerian university after leveraging the digital learning opportunities provided through the centre.
The achievement, she noted, demonstrates the long-term socio-economic impact of investing in grassroots digital education.
Call for Expanded Collaboration
To deepen the partnership, Ayuba appealed to NITDA to provide additional support through:
- Training of community-based digital instructors
- Upgrading computer systems at the Knowledge Access Centre
- Expanding access to NITDA’s digital capacity-building programmes
- Increasing support for rural digital literacy initiatives
She stressed that as Nigeria advances in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity and digital innovation, rural communities must not be left behind.
According to her, inclusive digital development remains essential to ensuring equitable national growth.
Partnership Supports Nigeria’s Inclusive Digital Economy Agenda
The meeting concluded with both organisations reaffirming their shared commitment to expanding digital opportunities for underserved populations through sustained collaboration.
The strengthened partnership reflects NITDA’s broader strategy of leveraging strategic alliances to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide, promote digital literacy and accelerate inclusive socio-economic development.
As Nigeria pursues its ambition of becoming a leading digital economy in Africa, partnerships between government agencies and community-based organisations are expected to play an increasingly important role in ensuring that digital transformation reaches every segment of society, regardless of location or socio-economic status.
