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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the National Universities Commission (NUC) have reaffirmed their joint commitment to accelerating the implementation of the Digital Literacy and Skills Curriculum across all Nigerian universities — a strategic initiative designed to equip students with the digital competencies needed to thrive in the global knowledge-based economy.
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The renewed collaboration was announced during a high-level meeting between the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, and the newly appointed Executive Secretary of the NUC, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, at the NUC headquarters in Abuja.
The visit marked a significant step towards reigniting the implementation framework of the Digital Literacy and Skills Curriculum, which was first agreed upon during an initial meeting between the two organisations in December 2024.
Driving Digital Transformation through Education Reform
In his remarks, Kashifu Abdullahi stressed that human capital development remains at the core of national development, emphasising that reforming Nigeria’s education system to integrate digital skills and emerging technologies into university curricula is critical to positioning the country for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
He noted that the ongoing technological disruptions demand that Nigerian graduates not only obtain academic qualifications but also acquire industry-relevant digital competencies that will make them globally competitive.
“With the rapid advancement of technology, digital skills are no longer optional — they are essential for success in today’s workforce. This collaboration is a strategic move to equip Nigerian students with the competencies needed to thrive in a technology-driven world, enhancing job creation, entrepreneurship, and overall economic resilience,” Abdullahi stated.
He further highlighted that the partnership aligns with NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), which prioritises Digital Literacy and Talent Development as one of its seven strategic pillars. The initiative also supports the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which seeks to reform the economy through industrialisation, digitisation, and innovation-driven diversification.
Key Focus Areas of the Digital Literacy Curriculum
The comprehensive Digital Literacy and Skills Curriculum is designed to transform Nigerian universities into hubs of innovation by embedding future-ready skills into academic programmes.
The curriculum will cover key emerging technologies such as:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Blockchain Technology
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Cybersecurity
- Cloud Computing
- Data Science & Analytics
- Software Development
- Digital Entrepreneurship
Abdullahi emphasised that the curriculum would not only empower students with practical tech skills but also foster an entrepreneurial mindset, enabling them to become job creators rather than job seekers.
“We must rethink our educational system to align with the demands of the digital economy. The goal is to ensure that Nigerian graduates are globally competitive and innovation-driven, ready to provide solutions to national challenges through technology.”
Capacity Building for Lecturers and Digital Infrastructure Deployment
As part of the partnership, the collaboration will involve:
- Comprehensive capacity-building programmes to train lecturers and educators on delivering digital literacy courses
- Provision of digital infrastructure and learning management systems across universities
- Development of online course modules for remote learning
- Establishment of Digital Literacy Centers on campuses, starting with public universities
- Collaboration with tech industry partners to offer students hands-on experience through internships and hackathons
Bridging the Digital Divide
A critical aspect of the initiative is its commitment to inclusivity and bridging the digital divide. The curriculum rollout will ensure that students in rural and underserved communities have equal access to quality digital education, thereby democratising digital knowledge across all social and economic backgrounds.
“Nigeria cannot afford to leave any student behind in the digital revolution. This initiative will ensure that students from all regions and backgrounds have access to world-class digital education that empowers them to compete on a global scale,” Abdullahi added.
NUC Pledges Policy Support for Digital Literacy Rollout
In his response, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, the Executive Secretary of NUC, reaffirmed the Commission’s unwavering commitment to driving the full implementation of the Digital Literacy and Skills Curriculum across Nigeria’s higher education institutions.
He commended NITDA for its leadership in championing Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda and pledged to facilitate the necessary policy adjustments and regulatory framework to support the rollout.
“Digital education is at the heart of Nigeria’s vision to become a knowledge-based economy. The NUC is fully committed to working hand-in-hand with NITDA to ensure that every Nigerian university integrates digital literacy into its curriculum. This initiative will empower our students to not only thrive locally but also compete on the global stage.”
A Catalyst for Nigeria’s Digital Economy
The collaboration between NITDA and NUC represents a transformational milestone in Nigeria’s drive to build a digitally literate workforce that can power the nation’s transition into a digital economy.
By equipping Nigerian students with emerging tech skills, the initiative will significantly contribute to:
- Job creation and youth empowerment
- Strengthening Nigeria’s digital innovation ecosystem
- Driving entrepreneurship and startups among young graduates
- Increasing the country’s global competitiveness in the digital economy
- Reducing the digital skills gap in critical sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and financial services
What’s Next?
Both NITDA and NUC have agreed to develop a structured implementation roadmap that will outline timelines, roles, and performance metrics for the rollout of the curriculum across Nigerian universities.
The pilot phase will commence in selected public universities by mid-2025, with a nationwide rollout targeted by 2026.
Building a digitally empowered generation
The renewed partnership between NITDA and NUC marks a significant leap towards positioning Nigerian universities as breeding grounds for digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and global competitiveness.
By embedding digital literacy and emerging technologies into university curricula, Nigeria is laying the foundation for a digitally empowered generation that will drive the country’s socio-economic transformation in the 21st century.
With strong political will, policy backing, and industry collaboration, the implementation of the Digital Literacy and Skills Curriculum will not only bridge the digital divide but also ignite a new era of knowledge-based economic growth in Nigeria.
