Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, emphasised the transformative potential of digital technology in providing education to children displaced by banditry and natural disasters. Speaking at the "Digital Literacy for All" event organised by the National Information Technology and Development Agency (NITDA) at the Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre in Minna, the governor highlighted the urgent need for innovative educational solutions.
Governor Bago noted that banditry, flooding, and other security challenges have forced many children out of school, jeopardising their educational aspirations. He proposed the deployment of digital technology platforms to engage these children in learning, offering a novel solution to the educational disruptions caused by banditry.
The governor announced Niger State's commitment to the digital literacy initiative, aiming to ensure that 75 percent of its citizens become digitally literate. He emphasised that farmers, market women, traders, and civil servants would extensively benefit from this initiative.
Governor Bago also urged NITDA to establish an office in Niger State to support farmers who have embraced his agricultural programs. This move would enable them to integrate digital literacy into their farming practices, enhancing their trade.
Earlier, NITDA Director General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi outlined the initiative's goal to equip 70 percent of Nigerians with digital skills, aiming to train 10 million people. He explained that these skills would empower farmers to forecast weather conditions, monitor climate change, access fertilisers and chemicals, market their produce, and communicate with buyers, ultimately boosting their profits and yields.
Abdullahi thanked Governor Bago for facilitating the initiative in Niger State, stressing that digital literacy would significantly transform the lives of its beneficiaries.
The event was attended by notable figures, including the Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Ayodele Olawande Wisdom, and the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Yusha'u Dogara Ahmed. They commended the initiative and encouraged the youth to participate actively.