In a notable effort to enhance digital literacy in schools, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has unveiled a partnership with the Federal Capital Territory Universal Basic Education Board (FCT-UBEB). The collaboration aims to equip young Nigerians with essential skills in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics, ensuring their preparedness for a rapidly evolving digital world.
During a meeting held at NITDA’s corporate headquarters in Abuja, the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, stressed the significance of integrating technology into education to harness the potential of young minds. Recognizing the innate affinity of today’s children, referred to as “digital natives,” for technology, Inuwa emphasized the need to embed digital knowledge within their learning environment.
Under this collaboration, NITDA will provide infrastructure and resources to facilitate educational transformation, including the establishment of digital learning centers across all states of the country. The agency’s Digital Literacy for All program, a national initiative, aims to extend digital education resources to every corner of Nigeria.
Furthermore, NITDA is actively engaged in research and development in the fields of AI and Robotics, recognizing their pivotal role in future skill sets. In recent times, the agency partnered with the Abuja Enterprise Agency to organize a Robotics competition for secondary schools in Abuja, fostering interest in technology among students. Inuwa expressed enthusiasm for future collaborations to further ignite the youth’s interest in Robotics.
With the goal of achieving 70% digital literacy in Nigeria by 2027, NITDA is working to integrate digital literacy into the national educational curriculum. To address the needs of out-of-school children, the agency is developing programs in partnership with various stakeholders, combining incentives such as school feeding with digital literacy and other educational training opportunities.
Dr. Alhassan Sule, the Acting Executive Chairman of FCT-UBEB, praised NITDA’s strategic initiatives aimed at ensuring a sustainable digitally transformed economy in the country. As part of their responsibilities, the FCT Basic Schools debate competition will engage 900 students, with the finalists attending a reality house where they will receive training in AI and Robotics. The finals will be aired live on media platforms, further inspiring interest in these emerging technologies among the youth.
This collaboration between NITDA and FCT-UBEB holds great promise in equipping young Nigerians with the digital literacy skills necessary to excel in an increasingly technology-driven world. By fostering partnerships and integrating technology into education, Nigeria is taking a significant step towards nurturing a generation of tech-savvy individuals ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.
