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By Ijeoma Olorunfemi
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) says Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) are contributors to national development, not beneficiaries of charity.
The Director-General of NITDA, Malam Kashifu Inuwa, said this on Tuesday in Abuja at a two-day PwD training’s closing ceremony.
The training was organised with Inclusive Friends Association and SIMBED under NITDA’s Digital Literacy For All (DL4ALL) initiative.
DL4ALL targets 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027 and 95 per cent by 2030, focusing on inclusive digital capacity nationwide.
Represented by Mr Oladejo Olawumi, Inuwa said the training ensured digital literacy inclusivity for all citizens.
“We live in a world where digital technology defines how we learn, work, communicate and participate in society,” he said.
He said digital transformation remained incomplete if over 30 million Nigerians with disabilities were excluded.
“For many PwDs, the challenge is accessibility to websites, non-captioned videos and platforms incompatible with assistive technologies.
“These barriers limit opportunities, but PwDs are contributors to national goals, not charity beneficiaries,” Inuwa said.
He said empowered PwDs become innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders, driving productivity and innovation across sectors.
Inuwa said DL4ALL operates through three programmes, including the informal sector, which has trained over 480,000 Nigerians.
He added that the education sector and workforce programmes formed the other implementation pillars.
He urged stakeholders to design accessible programmes, invest in inclusive skills and actively listen to PwDs.
Inuwa encouraged participants to become ambassadors of digital inclusion and demand an ecosystem that worked for all.
SIMBED Chief Executive Officer, Mr Daniel Onunkwo, said the pilot trained 50 PwDs and would be expanded nationwide.
“We see this as a strong statement of inclusion, equity and national progress,” Onunkwo said.
He said SIMBED remained committed to creating opportunities and providing credible PwDs data for informed decision-making.
IFA Executive Director, Ms Grace Jerry, said digital discrimination differed from physical barriers, driving their inclusion advocacy.
Represented by Ms Tracy Agbamu, Jerry said digital skills would enable PwDs achieve financial independence and contribute economically.
A participant, Ms Eberechi Onyinyechi, said the training helped her understand PwD-friendly features on her device.
“From this programme, I now understand inclusive features on my device that support persons with disabilities,” she said.
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo
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