The initiative is aimed at positioning Nigeria’s youthful and entrepreneurial population as a key driver of global competitiveness in the digital space, with a strong focus on inclusive economic growth powered by technology.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has unveiled its strategic roadmap for advancing Nigeria’s digital economy, setting an ambitious target of achieving 70% digital literacy across the country by 2027. The initiative is aimed at positioning Nigeria’s youthful and entrepreneurial population as a key driver of global competitiveness in the digital space, with a strong focus on inclusive economic growth powered by technology.

Speaking at the Galaxy Backbone Digital Transformation Summit, the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi CCIE, represented by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, emphasized the importance of equipping young Nigerians with relevant digital skills to strengthen innovation and productivity. He noted that the agency’s vision is to transform Nigeria into an IT-enabled economy that leverages technological advancement to expand opportunities and improve participation in the digital ecosystem.

To achieve these goals, NITDA is partnering with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to deploy Digital Literacy Champions across all 764 local government areas in Nigeria. These champions will be responsible for training MSMEs and operators in the informal sector, thereby expanding access to digital knowledge and enabling wider participation in the digital economy. The agency is also prioritizing the development of digital talent among young people to enhance both national and global competitiveness.

NITDA further highlighted its transition from a traditional IT regulatory body to a broader ecosystem orchestrator, implementing initiatives focused on policy, infrastructure, and innovation-driven development. Through the Office of National Digital Innovation (ONDI), the agency supports startups by linking them with investors, incentives, and global markets. 

Other flagship programmes include the iHatch initiative for entrepreneurs across all states and the FCT, the upcoming Digital Nigeria International Conference scheduled for October 11–13, and a Builders’ Summit designed to connect startups with problem statements from MDAs and corporates. The National Centre for Artificial Intelligence was also noted for fostering collaboration in AI and robotics research to produce globally competitive solutions.