Nigeria: NITDA Director General Calls for Integration of Digital Skills in School Curriculum

The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has urged a collective effort to update and enhance the current school curriculum by integrating digital skills at all educational levels. This initiative supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aiming to create millions of jobs through digital technologies and achieve a 70% digital literacy rate by 2027.

Abdullahi made these remarks during a meeting with the management team of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), led by its Executive Secretary, Professor Janaidu Ismail, at NITDA’s Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.

Role of Digital Technology in Curriculum Development

Abdullahi emphasized the pivotal role of digital technology in curriculum design, content, and processes, underscoring the global shift towards digitalization. “We must lead in developing a competency-based, outcome-focused curriculum that addresses the demands of the 21st century,” said Abdullahi. “This approach will enable us to produce a skilled workforce capable of meeting the needs of the Nigerian market and attracting foreign investment. Integrating digital skills into the curriculum is essential for national development and economic growth.”

He further highlighted the need for aligning government policies with sustainable development goals, 21st-century skills, the digital economy, creative arts, and digital technology to pave the way for nation-building. Abdullahi stressed that the curriculum must evolve to equip citizens with the knowledge and skills necessary for growth and development in the digital age.

NERDC’s Commitment to Curriculum Development

Professor Ismail Janaidu, Executive Secretary of NERDC, reaffirmed the Council’s dedication to curriculum development at all educational levels, emphasizing the importance of incorporating digital literacy. He noted that the visit aimed to strengthen the existing relationship and explore new areas of collaboration for national development.

Janaidu also outlined NERDC’s role in promoting book development, local authorship, educational research for policy formulation, and the development of Nigerian and other languages to enhance educational delivery.

He commended NITDA for its substantial contributions to advancing Information and Communications Technology (ICT) across Nigeria, noting the positive impact of these initiatives on the growth and development of the ICT sector.