NITDA REINFORCES DIGITAL LITERACY COLLABORATION WITH UBEC

DG NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, and Dr Aisha Garba, Execuyuve Secretary of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) at the NITDA HQ for strategic deliberations on deepening collaboration to accelerate digital literacy across Nigeria’s basic education system.

“For us, partnering with you will help us achieve more in terms of reaching all students in basic education.” Kashifu tells Aisha Garba led management team of UBEC.

.... Says, "while significant progress has been made in training teachers, the broader national objective must prioritise learners."

The National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA) has reaffirmed its commitment towards strengthening its partnership with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to the acceleration of digital literacy and expand access to technology across Nigeria’s basic education system.

Making this known is the Director General of the Agency, Kashifu Inuwa when he received in audience, the management team of UBEC, led by its Executive Secretary, Dr. Aisha Garba, when they paid a courtesy visit to NITDA Headquarters in Abuja.

Emphasising that collaboration between NITDA and UBEC is central to achieving Nigeria’s national digital literacy targets, Inuwa noted that, “For us, partnering with you will help us achieve more in terms of reaching all students in basic education,” stressing that while significant progress has been made in training teachers, the broader national objective must prioritise learners.

He explained that teacher capacity development efforts are already yielding positive results, with digital literacy modules now embedded in NITDA’s programmes and mandated for educators.

“We have achieved a lot in training teachers, but impact must be measurable,” he stated. “We need the numbers. How many students are being reached?” he asked, reiterating NITDA’s digital literacy targets of 70 per cent by 2027 and 95 per cent by 2030.

The Director General underscored the importance of leveraging data to measure impact effectively. “With this system, we should be able to know each teacher and how many people they are impacting, so that we can keep proper records and have the numbers,” he said, highlighting the role of Artificial Intelligence and data analytics in tracking progress nationwide.

On infrastructure, he disclosed that NITDA has deployed over 1,500 digital learning centres across the country under its strategic pillar on promoting inclusive access to digital infrastructure and services. While some centres are well utilised, others remain underused. “We want every Nigerian to have access to digital infrastructure and services,” Inuwa stated, proposing that both agencies share data, map their interventions, and complement each other’s efforts to maximise impact.

Addressing the issue of internet connectivity in schools, Inuwa called for further exploration of sustainable models. “Let us explore multiple services they can use. How can we get more internet services to schools” he asked, stressing that connectivity is crucial to unlocking the full potential of digital learning facilities.

Beyond infrastructure and literacy, Inuwa offered to share NITDA’s digital transformation playbook with UBEC to support internal reforms within the Commission. “Digital transformation is a journey. It is not a one off initiative. At each stage, when you reach your target, you need to set a new one,” he said.

He cited NITDA’s AI transformation roadmap, which involved training all staff on Generative AI and encouraging them to develop innovative use cases. “The idea was to train them and challenge them to see how AI can enhance what they do,” he explained, adding that, “AI is not here to replace people. If a junior staff member can transition from moving files to managing an AI system, I believe anyone can embrace and use AI.”

Inuwa further explained how process re-engineering within the Agency reduced repetitive approvals and administrative bottlenecks. “A Director General is not an expert in audit, procurement, or project management. Why can’t they just work and bring the final product for approval?” he remarked, noting that streamlined workflows allow leadership to focus on strategic direction.

Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi poses for photograph with the Executive Secretary, UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba, flanked by their respective management teams, reaffirm a shared commitment to advancing digital transformation in basic education.

In her remarks, UBEC Executive Secretary, Dr. Aisha Garba, described the partnership with NITDA as both strategic and essential. She said, “For us in UBEC, our key mandate is universal access to basic education for all Nigerian children. So, it’s a big responsibility,” stressing that UBEC does not consider this mandate one it can fulfil alone. “We always seek partners that work with us—not just government agencies, but also communities and parents,” she added.

Garba highlighted the scale of the challenge, noting that over 47 million children are currently within Nigeria’s basic education system. “Whatever the number is, it’s not a small one,” she said, referencing varying statistics on out of school children. “Outside basic education, you have fewer than five million. So, this is really the biggest stake we all have.”

She emphasised that collaboration with NITDA is key to bridging access gaps and improving quality. “Partnering with NITDA is a necessity for us. We need to work together to use technology to bridge the lack of access in the country and to improve the quality of education,” she said, pointing to enrolment concerns and foundational literacy challenges in some states.

Garba also expressed appreciation for the NITDA Director General’s continued support.