The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has established an ambitious objective for Nigeria, aiming for 90% of the population to possess digital literacy by 2030. Underlining the significance of digital literacy, he emphasized its role in equipping individuals with the fundamental skills required for active engagement in the digital economy.
This announcement was made during his live appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program, where the Minister underscored the government’s unwavering dedication to accomplishing this target.
Furthermore, he revealed strategies to educate three million Nigerians in technical skills over the upcoming years, emphasizing a collaborative approach between his ministry and state governments to ensure the success of this endeavor.
He articulated, “The goal is that by 2030, 90% of Nigerians should possess digital literacy. Digital literacy doesn’t imply becoming a technical expert, but it provides the groundwork to enable individuals to opt for participation in the digital economy.”
In addition, Dr. Tijani unveiled intentions to establish hardware training facilities in prominent tech hubs such as Aba in Abia State and Computer Village in Lagos State. These centers are geared towards fostering the development of skilled manpower and generating employment opportunities for all Nigerians.
He commented, “We are considering collaborating with the NDDC to bring in top talent from the hardware sector to devise a strategy for investing in the developments in Aba. Our goal is to establish a center in Aba within the next few months, focusing on hardware production.
“The center’s focus will not be mere replication, but rather on innovating new technology. It will also educate local business owners on how to leverage new technology to enhance their current practices and train new talents.”
In response to the possibility of incorporating indigenous languages as the medium of instruction in tech training and software development in Nigeria, the minister stressed the importance of ensuring Nigeria’s active involvement in the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
He emphasized, “We are dedicated to ensuring that Nigeria takes a leading role in AI development.”
To accomplish this, the government is endorsing projects and initiatives that encompass all languages in Nigeria, not just the prominent ones like Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo, in the pursuit of AI advancement.
This initiative is designed to ensure that machines can comprehend and work with all of Nigeria’s diverse languages, including those that might have been previously overlooked.
