Sokoto State Government has emerged as the leading state in Nigeria’s digital literacy programme, recording nearly 60,000 beneficiaries and clinching the Sub-National Digital Transformation & Institutional Leadership Award under the Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) Initiative, becoming the first Ministry amongst the states in the federation to achieve such numbers.
This was disclosed at the Digital Literacy Workshop organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Abuja under the theme, “Measuring Progress, Strengthening Partnerships, Accelerating Impact.”
Data presented by the Federal Government at the workshop showed that Sokoto recorded 58,573 beneficiaries, ahead of the Bureau for ICT and Digital Economy with 56,582, Jigawa State Agency with 52,814, Kaduna AGILE with 45,758 and Zamfara Agency with 24,691, among the top ten. CISCO, NITDA and Meta were the top three respectively.
The Sokoto State delegation was led by the Commissioner for Innovation and Digital Economy, Hon. Bashar Umar Kwabo AA, alongside other dignitaries.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Nasir Daniya, mni participated in panel discussions on digital literacy among Generation Alpha, traders, graduates and the wider community.
Hon. Kwabo received a recognition award for “Digital Transformation and Institutional Leadership” from the DG NITDA on behalf of the Sokoto State Government and the entire Sokoto digital ecosystem. He appreciated NITDA for recognising the state’s achievements.
“This recognition reflects the state government’s ongoing efforts, under the leadership of Governor Dr. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, to create an enabling environment for digital innovation, skills development and the expansion of technology-driven opportunities across Sokoto State,” he said.
The Commissioner also appreciated the Permanent Secretary of the MIDE Dr. Nasir Daniya, mni, and all ministry staff, particularly the technical officers under the Sokoto Information and Communications Technology Development Agency (SICTDA), for their tireless efforts towards attainment of the 9-Point Smart and Innovative Agenda of Governor Aliyu.
He urged them to redouble their efforts to sustain the momentum and build on the state’s achievements in digital literacy, grassroots mobilization and Techpreneurship.
The workshop featured presentations by Peter Olayinka of Tripod Professional Services Limited on Nigeria’s digital literacy progress and Isaías Barreto da Rosa, Ph.D, UNESCO Representative to Nigeria, on key findings and insights into the digital literacy landscape.
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, delivered a keynote address on Nigeria’s digital literacy journey, highlighting the importance of digital literacy in unlocking the country’s digital future, creating opportunities and empowering communities.
Other highlights included the official launch of the National Digital Literacy Dashboard and the presentation of awards recognising outstanding contributions by. Mr Inuwa.
Discussions also focused on bridging digital skills gaps and ensuring that everyone, particularly persons with disabilities, can benefit from technology and opportunities in the digital economy.
The event brought together stakeholders from government institutions, development organisations, the private sector and other segments of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem to review progress and identify practical measures towards achieving 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027 and 90 per cent by 2030.
