Technology for Social Change and Development Initiative (Tech4Dev), a non-profit organisation has signed an agreement with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for the Basic Digital Literacy training for 1,000 beneficiaries across rural areas in northern Nigeria.
The firm said the training is part of efforts to empower vulnerable groups and equip them with the basic digital knowledge required to succeed in the 21st-century and the emerging new normal from the COVID19 pandemic.
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Training will last for 12 weeks in 10 rural clusters across 10 states in the north comprising 50 per cent vulnerable women and girls, 30 per cent Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and 20 per cent individuals of other vulnerable groups.
The Executive Director at Tech4Dev, Diwura Oladepo, who spoke at a virtual media briefing, stressed the need to increase the number of digital literate vulnerable populations and people living in under-served communities in northern Nigeria.
The Head of the UK Government’s Digital Access Programme and Country Adviser, Idongesit Udoh, said various policies in Nigeria have identified digital skills as key to economic prosperity for all Nigerians.
“With COVID-19, digital literacy has become a must-have. Hence, the UK Government is demonstrating timely support not only for Nigeria’s inclusive economic development but also in building effective COVID-19-related resilience,” Udoh said.
According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), about 230 million jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills by 2030. This figure is due to the increasing use of technology and automation of jobs.
