The Bank of Industry (BoI), African Development Bank (AfDB), and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) have joined forces to enhance digital literacy in Nigeria. This collaborative effort aims to empower the youth and drive productivity in the country’s digital and creative sector.
Speaking at the iDICE stakeholders’ forum in Lagos, BoI’s managing director, Olasupo Olusi, emphasized the growing importance of the creative and digital economy in Nigeria’s economic strategy. He highlighted the crucial role of this sector in creating employment opportunities, reducing poverty, and fostering economic growth.
The coordinator of the Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy at AfDB Group, Tapera Muzira, commended the iDICE initiative, noting its transformative potential in supporting young entrepreneurs through funding and infrastructure. He highlighted Africa’s youthful population and projected the significant impact that initiatives like iDICE could have on job creation and economic development.
NITDA’s director-general, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, underscored the agency’s commitment to achieving digital literacy in Nigeria by 2027. Through its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (STRAP), NITDA aims to leverage technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain to position Nigeria as a knowledge-driven economy on the global stage.
Overall, the collaboration between BoI, AfDB, and NITDA reflects a concerted effort to empower young entrepreneurs, drive innovation, and harness the potential of digital technologies for economic development in Nigeria. Through initiatives like iDICE, the partners are paving the way for a more inclusive and digitally literate society that can thrive in the digital age.
