To enhance the skills and competencies of government employees in using digital tools and technologies, the Federal Government has launched a digital literacy training programme for Federal civil servants.
This initiative is a collaborative effort between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
The programme aims to equip civil servants with essential skills to effectively utilise digital technologies, thus improving their productivity and efficiency. This is particularly important as digital transformation focuses on people and having a workforce proficient in digital tools is crucial for driving economic growth and development.
At the launch of a three-day workshop on digital literacy training and certification for federal civil servants in Abuja, NITDA’s director-general, Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi emphasised that digital transformation is a journey, not a destination. He stated that it is fundamentally about people, not technology. He noted, “Technology makes our lives better, but the government cannot achieve this without you, as you are the ones who create policies, design services and deliver them to citizens.”
Abdullahi revealed that to achieve the ambitious goal of 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027, NITDA has launched an innovative initiative called Digital Literacy for All. This initiative aims to empower Nigerians with essential digital skills, enabling them to navigate the digital landscape effectively.
He mentioned that the first initiative involves collaborating with the Ministry of Education to develop a digital literacy skills curriculum, which has already been approved and implementation began this month. NITDA is working to train all teachers and collaborate with the National Universities Commission, National Board for Technical Education and National Commission for Colleges of Education to integrate this curriculum into all tertiary institutions.
Additionally, he highlighted a partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to recruit 80 champions in each NYSC stream, aiming to train at least 10.3 million Nigerians in digital literacy each year. He added that, according to the World Bank, by 2030, 35 to 45 per cent of jobs in Nigeria will require digital competency.
The representative of the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Fatima Mahmood underscored the importance of transforming the civil service into a dynamic, technology-driven and globally competitive workforce. She stated that this vision is a cornerstone of the Federal Service Commission’s strategy and implementation plan, which prioritises the journey toward a digitally literate civil service.
Mahmood emphasised that the workshop is not just a training exercise, but a vital opportunity to shape the future of Nigeria’s public service. “By acquiring cutting-edge tools and knowledge, participants will be empowered to deliver their mandates more effectively, driving meaningful change and progress in the country,” she asserted.
She also acknowledged the partnership between the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation and NITDA, describing it as a shining example of collaboration in achieving shared goals. Mahmood expressed her gratitude to NITDA and other participating organisations for their roles in bringing this vision to fruition. “This collaboration underscores the importance of working together to harness the power of digital technology and drive meaningful change in Nigeria’s public service,” she added.
