The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with Cisco, has empowered 50 young, unemployed Nigerians with digital skills through the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative.
The four-week intensive bootcamp, held at NITDA’s south west zonal office in Victoria Island, Lagos, offered hands-on training in data science, artificial intelligence (AI) and IT essentials.
Representing NITDA’s director general, Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi, the head of the south west zonal office, Chioma Okee-Agugwo described the initiative as a strategic step toward shaping Nigeria’s digital future. “This is not just a closing ceremony. It is the launchpad for new journeys – anchored in digital knowledge and powered by innovation,” she said.
According to Abdullahi, the DL4ALL programme aligns with NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), focusing on Digital Literacy, Emerging Technologies, and Youth Empowerment. It also reflects President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda, aimed at economic diversification through digitisation and innovation.
The director-general emphasised that the initiative is part of Nigeria’s broader goal to achieve 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027, a target set by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani. This vision is driven by the belief that digital inclusion is essential to national development.
Abdullahi stressed the transformative power of equipping youth with globally competitive tech skills. “They are no longer just consumers of technology. They are creators, innovators and future employers,” he noted. The bootcamp, he added, offered not just technical knowledge but also leadership skills necessary for navigating and contributing to the digital economy.
He commended Cisco for its role in delivering impactful training and called on other stakeholders to invest in people, platforms, and partnerships that promote inclusive digital growth. “Through our zonal strategy, we are bringing innovation closer to local communities. This is how we democratise access and unlock Nigeria’s full digital potential,” Abdullahi said.
Participants showcased their new skills through final presentations that combined elements of data analytics, AI application and IT problem-solving. Many spoke about how the bootcamp had boosted their confidence, enhanced their technical competence, and ignited entrepreneurial aspirations.
“The programme has changed my perspective,” one participant shared. “I now see myself as a potential employer, not just a job seeker.” Others expressed plans to start tech businesses and provide digital solutions within their communities.
As newly certified digital professionals, the graduates are expected to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s tech ecosystem – developing solutions, building secure infrastructure and creating jobs. The DL4ALL initiative has not only increased their employability but has positioned them as agents of digital transformation in Nigeria.
