“Over 60% of women with disabilities in Nigeria can’t operate a computer — we must change that,” says IFA as NITDA pledges reform.
“We cannot achieve 95% digital literacy by excluding 35 million Nigerians.” – NITDA DG.
ABUJA, Nigeria – In a major step towards bridging Nigeria’s digital divide, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting inclusive digital programmes that prioritize the needs of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), especially women and girls with disabilities who remain disproportionately left behind in Nigeria’s tech-driven economy.
The bold pledge was made by NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, during a high-level stakeholder roundtable with disability rights advocates in Abuja on Wednesday. The session, spearheaded by the Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), served as a platform to challenge the federal government’s digital agenda to become more inclusive, responsive, and impactful for over 35 million Nigerians living with disabilities.
“I never knew that we have up to 35 million people with special needs in Nigeria. So this brought to my attention the need to be more intentional in the way we design our programme,” Mr. Abdullahi stated, visibly moved by the revelations shared during the meeting.
He went further to admit that while NITDA had previously organised digital trainings for persons with disabilities, many of those initiatives fizzled out after the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, with renewed focus, he assured stakeholders that NITDA would mainstream disability inclusion into national digital development frameworks and policies, not just in name, but through deliberate action.
“There is no way we can achieve 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030 when we exclude 35 million Nigerians,” he emphasized, pledging that persons with disabilities will no longer be passive recipients of technology, but active contributors to its design and implementation.
In a strategic shift, the Director-General announced plans to set up a committee to guide the inclusive implementation of NITDA’s policies and programs, with a strong recommendation for OPDs (Organisations of Persons with Disabilities) to have a seat at the table.
“On the standard, I think we should immediately add them [PWDs] as part of the standard. We have the commission representing you, but also you need to be there to put your own voice as well,” Abdullahi said.
IFA Rings the Alarm: 60% of Women with Disabilities Lack Basic Computer Skills
During the session, Tracy Onabis, Programme Officer at IFA, presented compelling data and called out deep gaps in the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF 2023). She revealed that over 60% of women with disabilities in Nigeria cannot operate a computer, a grim reality that drastically reduces their access to digital jobs and limits their economic empowerment.
“Despite the government’s admirable goal of achieving 95% digital literacy by 2030, this vision cannot be truly inclusive unless urgent action is taken to bring persons with disabilities—especially women and girls—into the digital fold,” Ms. Onabis warned.
She further expressed concern that the current NDLF does not explicitly address the needs of persons with disabilities, making it difficult to reach underserved populations. “Many are locked out from basic digital skills and online opportunities due to the absence of assistive technologies, inaccessible training content, and non-inclusive learning environments.”
Critical Recommendations for an Inclusive Framework
In response, IFA and its coalition of partners under the RISE UP Project presented a set of bold, evidence-based recommendations aimed at ensuring that the digital literacy drive becomes truly inclusive.
Key recommendations include:
- A disability-inclusive review of the NDLF 2023 to reflect the diverse digital learning needs of persons with disabilities.
- Integration of accessible training formats and assistive technologies in all government-sponsored digital programmes.
- Introduction of a disability-focused budget line in national digital development and training plans.
- Direct involvement of key disability stakeholders such as the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) and the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) in policy design and implementation.
- Specific inclusion of women and girls with disabilities as a priority group for digital training and economic empowerment.
Festus Okpe, IFA’s Research and Legal Lead, noted with concern that while over 113 organisations were consulted during the development of the NDLF 2023, none of the major disability-focused organisations were represented—an omission that must be corrected going forward.
“This exclusion defeats the very essence of inclusive policymaking. We are asking for nothing more than to be seen, heard, and included,” Okpe said.
He added that the group’s recommendations were drawn from a communiqué developed during a Consultative Forum in October 2024, which was endorsed by more than a dozen leading disability organisations across the country.
A Turning Point for Inclusive Digital Development?
The roundtable marks what many disability advocates describe as a turning point in the journey towards a digitally inclusive Nigeria. It represents not just a recognition of existing gaps, but a renewed willingness by a major federal agency to listen, learn, and act.
Reacting to the DG’s assurances, Tracy Onabis expressed appreciation, saying:
“Thank you very much, Sir. The commitment from your side has further strengthened our effort. We look forward to working closely with NITDA to make inclusive digital literacy a reality.”
With millions of persons with disabilities still facing exclusion in education, employment, and access to information, this commitment from NITDA comes at a crucial time. Advocates now hope that it will lead to concrete policy actions, accessible technology solutions, and meaningful partnerships that leave no one behind in Nigeria’s digital future.
