The director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi has called for increased inclusion of persons with special needs in the agency’s policies and programmes.
Aligning his call with the presidential priority of reforming the economy for sustained inclusive growth, Abdullahi acknowledged the need for intentional design in the agency’s initiatives to cater to the estimated 35 million Nigerians with special needs.
Speaking during a strategic meeting with a delegation from the Inclusive Friends Association, a disability advocacy group led by its executive director, Grace Jerry at the agency’s headquarters, Abdullahi commended the group for drawing attention to the community’s realities.
“This brought to my attention the need to be more intentional in the way we design our programs, because there is no way we can achieve 95 per cent digital inclusion if we exclude 35 million Nigerians,” he stated.
While noting that NITDA has previously conducted targeted training for people with special needs in different parts of the country, the DG pledged a renewed commitment to expanding these initiatives nationwide.
“If you look at our office, we have facilities to cater to that, and in our recruitment also, we make sure we consider it. But now, we must go further and make sure our programmes reflect this inclusion,” he assured.
Abdullahi proposed the formal inclusion of disability community representatives in national ICT standard-setting committees, curriculum development, and policy formulation. He emphasised that their participation would not only safeguard their interests but also improve implementation by pushing through bureaucratic hurdles.
He further suggested integrating special needs considerations into national initiatives such as the NYSC tech programmes, women’s digital training cohorts and upcoming national tech conferences. These platforms, he noted, offer critical opportunities for networking, skills development, and business support.
“For us, it’s beyond just training. The real goal is empowerment: how we can train people to use IT to expand their businesses and improve their lives,” he added.
Reaffirming the agency’s commitment to strategic collaboration, the DG invited disability organisations to serve as partners in building a digital economy that works for all Nigerians.
“Whatever you do, you need IT as a tool. So, let us make sure everyone, regardless of ability, is equipped to use it,” he concluded.
Earlier, Jerry thanked the agency for the engagement and highlighted a significant divide within the disability community, particularly among women in northern Nigeria.
She stressed the urgency of ensuring that the government’s ambition of achieving 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030 is truly inclusive, with adequate representation of people living with special needs in ongoing reviews and the monitoring of the framework’s implementation.
“Digital literacy is fast becoming a foundational skill for employment, and without deliberate inclusion, millions will be left behind,” she warned, underscoring the need for tailored programmes and inclusive policymaking.
