The Federal Government has pledged to include 35 million persons with disabilities in its digital economy plans, aiming to ensure no Nigerian is left behind in ongoing tech initiatives.
According to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the move seeks to close the digital divide for persons with special needs. Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of NITDA, said the agency is working to ensure its digital inclusion and literacy initiatives reflect the realities of people with disabilities across the country.
“There is no way we can achieve 95 percent digital inclusion if we exclude 35 million Nigerians,” Inuwa said. “We must be more intentional in the way we design our programmes.”
He noted that while NITDA has in the past conducted targeted training for people with special needs, the agency is now expanding these efforts nationwide. This includes adapting its infrastructure and recruitment policies and involving disability advocates in policymaking processes.
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The agency said it would work to include representatives from the disability community in national committees that develop ICT standards, training curricula, and policy frameworks, steps it believes will help overcome bureaucratic hurdles and strengthen implementation.
Inuwa also proposed integrating special needs considerations into existing national initiatives such as the NYSC tech programmes, women’s tech training cohorts, and tech conferences.
“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 said.
The note also highlighted remarks from the Executive Director of Inclusive Friends Association, Grace Jerry, who led a delegation to NITDA’s headquarters during the week.
Jerry welcomed the agency’s responsiveness and urged it to ensure that people living with disabilities, especially women in northern Nigeria, are represented in ongoing digital policy reviews.
“Digital literacy is fast becoming a foundational skill for employment, and without deliberate inclusion, millions will be left behind,” Jerry said.
