The Technology for Social Change and Development Initiative (Tech4Dev), in collaboration with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has initiated the N150 million DigitalforAllChallenge.
The challenge aims to address Nigeria’s digital skills gap, empowering two million citizens with basic and intermediate digital skills while offering competitive incentives, including cash and prizes.
The DigitalforAllChallenge, launched by the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, seeks to position Nigeria as a talent exporter and a leader in the digital space.
Abdullahi emphasized the global talent deficit and Nigeria’s potential to bridge the gap by positioning itself strategically.
”The challenge aligns with the government’s commitment to building three million tech talents in Nigeria, to have 1.5 million serving the local market and another 1.5 million contributing to the global value chain,” he said.
He added that NITDA aims to make everyone digitally visible by implementing interventions across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
”The focus is ensuring that citizens leaving school can access innovation hubs to incubate and accelerate their ideas, fostering a robust digital economy,” he noted.
Joel Ogunsola, the founder of Tech4Dev, explained that the DigitalforAllChallenge is an inclusive strategy to ensure that every citizen understands technology’s role in building a robust digital economy.
”The challenge offers N150 million in cash prizes across three categories: basic education, youth, and civil service. The civil service category is critical for achieving total digital transformation in government and service delivery,” he said.
The Deputy High Commissioner of FCDO, Mrs Gill Lever, affirmed the UK government’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital sector, promoting inclusive partnerships, and fostering digital growth for sustainable development.
She highlighted the importance of digital literacy in addressing social challenges, emphasizing the need to bridge the digital gender gap, with approximately 62 per cent of Nigerians lacking digital device proficiency.
The DigitalforAllChallenge is anticipated to bring about a significant shift in Nigeria’s digital landscape, equipping millions with the skills and confidence to navigate the evolving digital world.
