DL4ALL BY NITDA
DL4ALL: NITDA is set to train selected Corp members and 5,000 Nigerian youths in the Creative Industry as Digital Literacy Champions.
In its bid to propel Nigeria towards achieving a 70 per cent digital literacy level by 2027, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in collaboration with GetBundi Education Technology is embarking on the training of selected National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members as well as 5,000 Nigerian youths from the creative industry as Digital Literacy Champions. This training will also include selected individuals in the informal sector from 12 states in Nigeria under the pilot phase that is designed to last till December 2024 before a nationwide deployment.
The youths who will be taken from serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and the creative industry, will undergo a comprehensive two-week digital literacy training programme and will thereafter receive a 10-week online training in either Graphics, Video Editing, or Digital Marketing that will equip them with valuable skills for their professional development and make them employable as well enlisted in the digital job portal.
They will also be onboarded as Digital Literacy Champions and become NITDA ambassadors, training and sharing their knowledge with peers, community, family, and friends. The DL4ALL initiative aims at training a critical mass of Nigerians in the informal sector in foundational digital literacy skills to equip them with the necessary tools to access and utilise online resources for education, employment, and financial services safely; protect themselves online from cyber threats and misinformation; communicate and collaborate effectively using digital tools; and develop the digital fluency required for many in-demand jobs.
To achieve this, NITDA is collaborating with GetBundi Education Technology, an edtech platform that is poised to equip Africans with digital skills relevant for the 21st-century digital economy. Already, GetBundi has developed a digital literacy framework for Africa as well as an implementation model which necessitated a collaborative MoU signed between NITDA and GetBundi.
NITDA’s DL4ALL initiative seeks to deliver six core competency areas which includes Devices and Software Operation, Information & Data Literacy, Communication and Collaboration, Digital Content Creation, Safety and Problem Solving. These areas will provide a foundational understanding of essential digital literacy required in today's technology-driven world. According to NITDA, this initiative will be implemented through a multi-stakeholder approach that will leverage the expertise from reach of a diverse group of actors from across the Nigerian landscape. As part of the collaboration, GetBundi will use its digital literacy framework to create learning videos and infographics in the six competency areas of the DL4ALL in English, Pidgin English, Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo by 31st December 2024. The pilot phase, which is July to December 2024, will be based in English language only and will be launched in 12 states. The digital literacy videos will be available on the NITDA DL4ALL portal and GetBundi portal, while the learning videos on Graphics, Video Editing and Digital Marketing will be available on GetBundi platform.
Speaking on the meet and greet with members of the creative industry in Lagos today, the Director General of NITDA Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi represented by the Director Corporate Planning & Strategy Dr Aristotle Onumo said the Federal Government acknowledged the contribution of the creative industry to overall economic growth and are willing to support the sector by empowering the members with digital skills to improve on their content delivery and gain more visibility.
He further stated that in the rapidly evolving digital age, the importance of digital literacy cannot be overstated. It serves as the foundation upon which creativity and innovation are built, enabling individuals to not only adapt to but also shape the future. This programme he declared “is a testament to Government’s commitment to ensuring that every member of the creative industry has the tools and knowledge necessary to thrive in this dynamic digital landscape”.
According to Kashifu, the creative industry has always been a vital part of our cultural and economic fabric, driving growth, fostering innovation, and enriching our lives with its boundless creativity and by equipping creatives with digital skills, we are unlocking new opportunities for expression, collaboration, and business growth. Accordingly, he said “we are paving the way for a more inclusive and prosperous future where digital literacy is a cornerstone of success”.
In his response, the founder of GetBundi Education Technology Osita Oparaugo, said Digital literacy is the cornerstone of successful digital transformation in governance and society. Without digital literacy, the true potential of digital transformation remains untapped, leaving individuals and communities at a disadvantage.
A huge thank you to the Director General of NITDA for recognizing the importance of competency and capacity building in digital skills through our collaborative efforts. Special thanks to the dedicated NITDA team, Tripod Consulting and other external partners involved in this pilot phase. Together, we are actively shaping Nigeria's digital landscape.
To Nigerian youths, NYSC members, creative industry professionals, and individuals in the 12 selected states for the pilot phase: This is your chance to engage in knowledge exchange and skill enhancement. Let's work together towards fostering a brighter digital future for all.
Speaking on behalf of the creative industry, Teco Benson, MFR emphasized the long-overdue importance of equipping industry players and newcomers in Nigeria with the right skill sets. I can assure you that this initiative will renew trust between the creative industry and the government. No one can carry the digital literacy program than us. On behalf of my colleagues, I say thank you to GetBundi founder for leading the DL4ALL initiative. The closing was said by Mr. Adeola Adeniyi, a visual storyteller.
National Information Technology Development Agency; “Empowering minds. Shaping the Digital Future”.