NCC Moves To Train More Nigerians As Digital Literacy Target Hits 95% By 2030

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is set to expand digital literacy and skills training across the country through the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), following the Institute’s recognition as an International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Digital Transformation Centre.

The initiative is aimed at narrowing Nigeria’s digital divide and equipping more Nigerians, particularly people in underserved and vulnerable communities, with the skills required to participate effectively in the digital economy.

The NCC disclosed this in Abuja when an ITU Senior Digital Skills Officer, Ms Robyn Fysh, visited the Commission alongside a delegation from the DBI led by its President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr David Daser.

Representing the NCC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Aminu Maida, the Director of Research and Development, Engr Babagana Digima, described the ITU designation of DBI as a major opportunity to deepen collaboration between the Commission, DBI and the global telecommunications body.

Digima said the NCC would collaborate with government agencies, state governments and development partners to expand access to digital skills training nationwide.

Fysh disclosed that the ITU’s Digital Transformation Centres initiative, launched in partnership with Cisco in 2019, had so far reached more than 870,000 people globally, with women accounting for more than half of the beneficiaries.

On his part, Daser said DBI’s recognition as an ITU Digital Transformation Centre would strengthen efforts to provide Nigerians with expanded access to digital skills and internationally recognised certification opportunities.

He noted that DBI had become the first institution globally to simultaneously hold ITU Academy Training Centre and Digital Transformation Centre status.

According to him, the development aligns with Nigeria’s National Digital Literacy Framework, which targets 95 per cent digital literacy nationwide by 2030.

The NCC said sustained investment and stronger partnerships would be essential to ensuring that communities currently excluded from digital opportunities are not left behind as Nigeria accelerates its digital transformation agenda.