NITDA, CISCO empower youth with digital skills

Fifty selected young unemployed Nigerians have completed a four-week intensive digital skills bootcamp under the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative, gaining hands-on training in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and IT Essentials.

The programme, a collaborative effort between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Cisco, was held at NITDA’s South-West Zonal Office in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Speaking on behalf of the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, the Head of the South-West Zonal Office, Mrs Chioma Okee-Agugwo, described the initiative as a key pillar of Nigeria’s digital future.

“This is not just a closing ceremony; it is the launchpad for new journeys—anchored in digital knowledge and powered by innovation,” she said.

According to the Director-General, the initiative is embedded in NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) and reflects priority areas such as Digital Literacy, Emerging Technologies, and Youth Empowerment.

He added that it aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to drive economic diversification through digitisation, innovation, and skills development.

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Inuwa highlighted that DL4ALL forms part of Nigeria’s wider commitment to digital inclusion, ensuring no one is left behind in the country’s growing digital economy. The initiative also supports the national goal—championed by the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani—to achieve 70% digital literacy by 2027.

He stressed the importance of equipping young Nigerians with globally relevant skills, stating, “They are no longer just consumers of technology. They are creators, innovators, and future employers.”

Throughout the bootcamp, participants engaged in immersive, hands-on sessions aimed at enhancing both technical skills and digital leadership capacity.

“This is only the beginning,” Inuwa said. “Through our zonal strategy, we are bringing innovation closer to local communities. This is how we democratise access and unlock Nigeria’s full digital potential.”

He also expressed gratitude to Cisco for delivering high-impact training and urged stakeholders to continue investing in partnerships, people, and platforms that promote digital inclusion.

Inuwa affirmed that the newly certified participants are now well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s digital economy, with the skills to develop solutions, secure infrastructure, and launch technology-driven ventures that address real-world challenges.

At the conclusion of the bootcamp, participants showcased their learning through impressive presentations, demonstrating the integration of skills acquired in Data Science, AI, and IT Essentials.

Many expressed how the programme had broadened their technical expertise and ignited their passion to create job opportunities—not only for themselves but for others—as entrepreneurs and digital solution providers in their communities.