The CEO of Cherithpoint Education and Youth Development Initiative (CEYDI), Dr. Olajumoke Akere has noted that the future of the nation is entwined with the youths’ capacity to gain digital literacy. She claims that having Digital Literacy will open up numerous opportunities in the fields of education, employment, and entrepreneurship. This was mentioned at the 2024 Literacy Day in Ibadan, which was hosted by the Cherithpoint Education and Youth Development Initiative. She emphasized that being digitally literate goes beyond simply knowing how to use Technology and encompasses connection, empowerment, and creativity.
Dr. Akere urged all levels of government as well as other stakeholders to provide young people with the necessary resources to create better futures for themselves, their nation, and the world at large. Conversely, she further encouraged the nation’s millions of young people to seize every opportunity, pointing out that the digital world is expansive and rife with prospects. Akere reminds the youth that the skills they acquire today will be their stepping stones, regardless of whether they want to launch a business, work in technology, or solve problems in their community.
Many initiatives are aimed at improving youth digital literacy.
She urged professionals and educators to carry out their essential duties in raising the next generation of citizens, stating that the youth’s Empowerment and education in digital literacy will determine the nation’s destiny. It is becoming more widely acknowledged that the digital literacy of young people in Nigeria is essential to social progress, employment creation, and economic expansion. Technological developments, governmental regulations, Private Sector endeavors, and socioeconomic difficulties are some of the factors that have shaped this quick evolution. The increased availability of technology and the internet has led to a significant increase in this development in recent years.
This trend is being fueled by public policies, business endeavors, and educational initiatives. Many initiatives are aimed at improving young people’s digital literacy in Nigeria. One such program that focuses on improving digital skills is the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) ICT training, which is managed by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). As part of its strategy, the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy has set a goal to develop digital literacy and skills for 95% of Nigerians by 2030, with a particular emphasis on youth.
About 38% of young people have basic digital abilities.
Approximately 75,000 young Nigerians have received training in digital entrepreneurship, hardware maintenance, and software creation under the N-Power Tech program, which is part of the Federal Government’s Social Investment Program. Since its launch in 2017, Google’s “Digital Skills for Africa” program has trained more than one million Nigerians, with adolescents between the ages of 18 and 35 making up over 60% of participants. About 38% of young people (ages 15 to 35) in Nigeria have basic digital abilities, such as the ability to use the Microsoft Office Suite, browse the internet, and send emails, according to the 2023 Digital Skill Survey.
Just 15% of young people in Nigeria are proficient in advanced digital skills like cybersecurity, data analysis, coding, and digital marketing. Nine percent of those in this group are formally certified in advanced digital competencies. An estimated 5% of young people in Nigeria are directly involved in the gig economy, providing skills including software development, graphic design, and content writing through websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and local counterparts. Since 2020, around 40% of young people in Nigeria have engaged in some kind of online education or training; the most widely used platforms are Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning.
Related Article: NITDA target 95% digital literacy by 2030
More than 100 active tech hubs can be found in Nigeria, and they directly employ over 50,000 young people each year through training sessions, hackathons, and boot camps that promote digital literacy. Nigeria hopes to raise the percentage of youths who are digitally literate to 70% by 2027 with sustained investments in infrastructure, public-private partnerships, and government regulations. The country will concentrate on both urban and rural areas. According to the National Digital Economy Policy, by 2030, 30 percent of young people will have advanced digital competencies, while the majority will have only basic digital abilities.