The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has rewarded outstanding National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members who served as Digital Literacy Champions with cash and laptops.
The agency also deepened its collaboration with NYSC at the presentation of the rewards on Wednesday in Abuja.
NITDA presented a total of ₦3.5 million and eight laptops to the corps members in recognition of their contributions to promoting digital literacy across communities.
The Director-General of NITDA, Malam Kashifu Inuwa, made the presentation during a courtesy visit to the NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, with members of the management team and corps members.
Inuwa described the visit as an important step towards strengthening collaboration between both organisations in implementing Nigeria’s Digital Literacy Framework and advancing the Federal Government’s target of achieving 70 per cent digital literacy by 2025.
He emphasised the importance of digital literacy to national growth.
“Digital literacy plays a vital role in national development, innovation and economic growth,” he said.
He explained that the Digital Literacy Framework was designed to enable citizens to acquire foundational competencies in information and data literacy, digital content creation and innovation.
According to him, the framework is being implemented through strategic partnerships, particularly with the NYSC, to ensure nationwide impact.
Inuwa said that under the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative, corps members were being trained and deployed as Digital Literacy Champions to educate citizens in communities across the country.
He added that NITDA planned to recruit 80 corps members in every state, including the Federal Capital Territory, to deliver daily digital literacy sessions in public spaces such as markets, motor parks, religious centres and other community locations.
The NITDA boss noted that the initiative would promote digital inclusion while equipping corps members with practical skills to enhance their employability and entrepreneurial potential.
He disclosed that participants would have access to NITDA’s online learning platforms to further deepen their digital competencies.
As part of the ceremony, NITDA presented a dummy cheque and laptops to eight corps members who distinguished themselves as Digital Literacy Champions.
Additional recognitions were also given to the Mind the Gap Foundation Chief Executive, Dr Stephen Ambore, Chief Executive Officer of Tripod Professional Services Limited.
Other recognition was Mrs Ajayi Funmilayo of the NYSC Community Development Service and Special Projects Unit, for their support to the initiative.
Nafiu commended NITDA for its commitment to strengthening digital skills development nationwide.
He described the partnership as longstanding and cordial and reaffirmed the scheme’s readiness to support initiatives that empower young Nigerians.
“With more than 650,000 graduates participating in the NYSC scheme annually, the partnership creates a strategic platform for equipping youths with essential digital skills,” he said.
He added that improving digital literacy among corps members would help reduce unemployment, boost productivity and enhance participation in the digital economy.
Nafiu expressed confidence that the collaboration would continue to produce digitally skilled, self-reliant and employable graduates who would serve as ambassadors of Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
