As part of efforts to enhance education, health and social investment through digital innovation and inclusive access to technology, the director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi has emphasised the critical importance of gender inclusion in digital literacy programs across Nigeria.
The DG made this known while delivering a goodwill address at the inauguration of the Quality Education and Girl Child Initiatives (Luminah 2030), organised by the Federal Ministry of Education at the Federal Secretariat Complex to foster an inclusive, equitable and high-quality education system.
This initiative is a key component of the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) for Renewed Hope, which focuses on six critical priority areas: science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medical sciences (STEM-M); Technical and vocational education and training (TVET); Out-of-school children, girl-child education; Data and digitalisation and education quality assurance.
The Luminah Girl Child Initiative, alongside the broader Quality Education and Learning Outcomes Programme, is dedicated to addressing the challenge of out-of-school children, with a strong focus on empowering young girls through education.
These initiatives aim to reshape Nigeria’s educational landscape, paving the way for a brighter, more prosperous future filled with boundless opportunities.
Abdullahi underscored the necessity of empowering women through technology to drive national progress and highlighted the role of education in societal transformation.
Reaffirming NITDA’s commitment to increasing digital literacy, particularly among women, to bridge the gender gap in STEM and technology-related fields, he stated, “When you educate a man, you educate an individual, but when you educate a woman, you educate a nation.”
He further disclosed that women represent less than 20 per cent of the STEM workforce, with Nigeria reflecting a similar disparity. Achieving gender parity in technology, he noted, would foster wealth creation and economic prosperity.
“In Nigeria, our women’s population is almost equal to the men’s. So imagine leaving 50 percent of your population excluded from key sectors – that would be disastrous for us as a nation,” he added.
Abdullahi explained that NITDA has been working closely with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Women Affairs to implement gender-inclusive digital programmes. Under the leadership of the Minister of Education, efforts are underway to embed digital skills and literacy into the curriculum from primary school to tertiary institutions.
Beyond formal education, the agency has extended its digital inclusion programmes to the informal sector by collaborating with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to train women in markets, religious centres and motor parks on digital literacy.
He emphasised that these initiatives align with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of diversifying Nigeria’s economy and increasing productivity through intensive digital training.
The ultimate objective, according to Abdullahi, is to contribute to making Nigeria a one-trillion-dollar economy** by leveraging digital skills and inclusion.
“Our goal is clear, our resolve is stronger than ever and we believe that working together with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Women Affairs and our own Ministry will help us embed digital skills and literacy into every aspect of our national development,” he concluded.
In closing, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa inaugurated five committees each under the Quality Education and Learning Programme and the Luminah 2030 Initiative. He urged committee members to approach their responsibilities with uttermost dedication, professionalism and a strong sense of purpose.
Other dignitaries at the event included the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, among others.
