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NITDA Reaffirms Commitment to UBEC Partnership on Digital Literacy
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to accelerate digital literacy and expand access to technology across Nigeria’s basic education system.
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Abdullahi made this known while receiving the UBEC management team during a courtesy visit to NITDA headquarters in Abuja. The team was led by its Executive Secretary, Aisha Garba.
Collaboration Central to National Digital Literacy Targets
The NITDA Director General stressed that strategic collaboration between both agencies is critical to achieving Nigeria’s national digital literacy goals. He noted that significant progress has been recorded in training teachers. But the broader objective must focus on learners within the basic education system.
“For us, partnering with you will help us achieve more in terms of reaching all students in basic education,” Abdullahi said
According to him, impact must be measurable and learner-focused. He reiterated NITDA’s digital literacy targets of 70 per cent by 2027 and 95 per cent by 2030. The NITDA boss emphasised the need for accurate data on how many students are being reached nationwide.
Data, AI Key to Measuring Impact at Scale
Abdullahi underscored the importance of leveraging data, artificial intelligence, and analytics to track outcomes effectively. According to him, a robust data-driven system would enable both agencies to monitor teacher participation and measure the number of learners impacted.
“With this system, we should be able to know each teacher and how many people they are impacting, so that we can keep proper records and have the numbers,” he said.
He highlighted technology as a critical enabler of accountability and evidence-based policymaking.
Expanding Digital Infrastructure in Schools
On infrastructure development, the NITDA boss disclosed that the Agency has deployed over 1,500 digital learning centres nationwide under its strategic pillar of promoting inclusive access to digital infrastructure and services. While some centres are fully utilised, others remain underused.
“We want every Nigerian to have access to digital infrastructure and services,” Abdullahi stated.
He proposed that NITDA and UBEC share data, map interventions, and align projects to avoid duplication and maximise impact.
Abdullahi also called for innovative and sustainable approaches to improving internet connectivity in schools. The NITDA boss noted that access to reliable internet services is essential for unlocking the full value of digital learning facilities.
Supporting UBEC’s Digital Transformation Journey
Beyond literacy and infrastructure, Abdullahi offered to share NITDA’s digital transformation playbook to support internal reforms within the Commission. He described digital transformation as a continuous process rather than a one-off initiative.
Drawing from NITDA’s experience, he cited the Agency’s AI transformation roadmap. This has involved training staff on generative AI and encouraging them to develop practical use cases. He explained that AI adoption has helped streamline workflows, and reduce repetitive approvals. Most importantly, it has eliminated administrative bottlenecks, allowing leadership to focus on strategic priorities.
“AI is not here to replace people. If a junior staff member can transition from moving files to managing an AI system, anyone can embrace and use AI,” Abdullahi said.
UBEC: Partnership with NITDA Is Strategic and Essential
In her remarks, UBEC Executive Secretary Dr. Aisha Garba described the partnership with NITDA as both strategic and indispensable to the Commission’s mandate of ensuring universal access to basic education for Nigerian children.
“For us in UBEC, our key mandate is universal access to basic education for all Nigerian children, and it’s a big responsibility,” she said.
Stressing that the Commission cannot fulfil this mandate alone, she highlighted the importance of partnerships with government agencies, communities, and parents.
Garba noted that more than 47 million children are currently within Nigeria’s basic education system, making it the largest segment of the education sector. She emphasised that collaboration with NITDA is vital to bridging access gaps, addressing foundational literacy challenges, and improving education quality nationwide.
Shared Vision for Inclusive, Technology-Driven Education
The UBEC Executive Secretary expressed appreciation for the continued support of the NITDA Director General, reaffirming the Commission’s readiness to work closely with NITDA to leverage technology in expanding access, improving quality, and driving inclusive growth in Nigeria’s education sector.
