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Digital Literacy Initiative: NITDA and Ministry of Education Join Forces

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As part of its mandate to foster digital literacy, cultivate talents and empower Nigerians with the knowledge and skills needed, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has initiated a partnership with the Ministry of Education to revolutionise Nigeria’s educational system.

This visionary effort to integrate digital literacy comprehensively into Nigeria’s educational framework came to light during a courtesy visit to the Honorable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, by DG NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa and his management team on Friday.

The partnership forms a cornerstone of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, an ambitious vision to equip young Nigerians with the critical skills required to thrive in the rapidly evolving digital economy.

This initiative seeks to embed digital literacy across all levels of education in Nigeria, starting from the foundational stages in kindergarten through to secondary schools and tertiary institutions, in order to achieve short-term target of 70% and long-term target of 95% digital literacy by the year 2030

During the meeting, Inuwa underscored the urgency of fostering a digitally literate population, highlighting the potential of digital skills to transform lives and economies.

“The future is digital, and the world is evolving faster than ever. If we are to prepare our youth for tomorrow’s challenges, we must begin with today’s education.

“This collaboration with the Ministry of Education is a bold step toward ensuring that no Nigerian child is left behind in this journey toward global competitiveness and innovation,” he remarked.

According to Inuwa, the initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and ensure that every child in Nigeria is adequately prepared to participate in a global economy increasingly defined by digital transformation.

In his response, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa praised NITDA’s forward-thinking approach and affirmed the Ministry’s unwavering support for the initiative. “Education remains the foundation upon which national development is built.

“We are ready partner with relevant stakeholders to embed digital literacy into our educational framework, empower our children with the tools and skills they need to not only adapt to change but to drive it,” he said.

With CISCO, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), National Universities Commission (NUC), National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), National Mathematical Centre (NMC), Universal Basic Education Board (UBEC), and other stakeholders involved, there is already shared commitment to creating an inclusive and technology-driven educational ecosystem.

This ecosystem will empower young Nigerians to not only consume technology but to innovate, lead, and compete on the global stage as the nation progresses into the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The collaborative effort is set to tackle various dimensions of digital literacy, ranging from curriculum development to teacher training and capacity building.

It will also involve the deployment of state-of-the-art digital tools and infrastructure across educational institutions.

This holistic approach is designed to provide students with hands-on exposure to technology, encouraging critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills from an early age.

Furthermore, the partnership aims to create a ripple effect that goes beyond the classroom, it sets to empower educators with the requisite skills to teach digital literacy effectively and transform the entire teaching and learning process in Nigeria.

It will also focus on addressing regional disparities by ensuring equal access to digital resources in underserved and rural communities, leaving no child or teacher behind.

The involvement of key stakeholders like CISCO, NBTE, NUC, NTI, NMC, and UBEC further strengthens the initiative.

Their combined expertise and resources will provide a robust framework for implementing the partnership’s goals. From introducing cutting-edge technology in schools to fostering a culture of innovation, the collaboration is poised to redefine what education means in Nigeria.

This initiative aligns with Nigeria’s broader goal of positioning itself as a continental leader in digital transformation and innovation. With technology increasingly shaping the global economy, Nigeria’s youth stand at the forefront of this revolution, ready to harness the opportunities presented by a digital-first world.

The partnership further indicates federal government’s commitment to achieving inclusive and sustainable development through digital literacy, and reshaping the very fabric of Nigerian education, ensuring it aligns with the demands of the modern era.


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

Telecom

TD Africa Empowers Nigerians with Sustainable Energy Solutions

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TD Africa, a leading technology distribution company in Africa, has unveiled its Green Hero Initiative, a groundbreaking program designed to tackle Nigeria’s persistent energy challenges and promote the adoption of sustainable energy solutions.

This initiative underscores TD Africa’s commitment to advancing cleaner, more affordable energy alternatives for Nigerian households and businesses.

As the cost of fossil fuels continues to rise, the urgency for a shift to renewable energy has never been more apparent. Recognizing this need, TD Africa has partnered with global industry leaders Huawei and EcoFlow to introduce innovative renewable energy solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of Nigerian consumers.

“The Green Hero Initiative is more than just a product launch; it’s a commitment to a sustainable future,” said Chidiebere Nwabuko, Business Manager, Renewable Energy Solutions at TD Africa. “We’re empowering Nigerians to take control of their energy needs, reduce their carbon footprint, and enjoy the benefits of reliable, clean power.

“By partnering with global leaders like Huawei and EcoFlow, we’re bringing cutting-edge technology to the market that is not only affordable but also tailored to the specific needs of our customers and Nigerians across the country.”

Through the Green Hero Initiative, TD Africa is offering a variety of renewable energy solutions that cater to diverse energy needs. These solutions include the powerful Huawei ISite Power M, ideal for powering homes and small businesses, and Huawei ISite Power S, designed for commercial and industrial applications.

Additionally, EcoFlow’s portable power stations are made up of the River series and Delta series that attend to the needs of low and mid-range Nigerians and provide a convenient and clean energy source for residential homes, small and medium businesses and outdoor activities or backup power.

By promoting the adoption of renewable energy, TD Africa is committed to significantly reduce carbon emissions and contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future for Nigeria. The company’s Green Hero Initiative is a significant step towards achieving this goal.

To ensure accessibility, TD Africa has made these solutions available through various online platforms. Consumers can conveniently shop for these products at justownitapp.com or KongaPlus via konga.com. Authorized partners of TD Africa can also access the range of offerings through the TD SuperApp at superapp.tdafrica.com.

 


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Call, Data Tariffs Will Increase – Nigerian Minister, Tijani Declares

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Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has announced that telecom tariffs in Nigeria will soon increase, but not by the 100 percent proposed by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).

Following a stakeholders’ meeting with the MNOs in Abuja on Wednesday, Tijani confirmed that consultations and engagements are ongoing, and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will soon approve and announce the new tariffs to the public.

“You have seen over the past weeks that there has been agitation from some of these companies to increase tariffs. They are requesting for 100 percent tariff increase. But it will not be by 100 percent; the NCC will soon come up with a clear directive on how we will go about it. We want to strike the balance as a government, to protect our people, but also protect and ensure that these companies can continue to invest significantly,” Tijani said.

He emphasized the importance of regulating the telecommunications sector to ensure its growth and sustainability. Tijani also stated that the Federal Government would no longer leave infrastructure investments solely to private companies, as they tend to invest only where they can see short- to medium-term returns.

“We will not want this conversation to just be about tariff increase. What the world is talking about today is meaningful connectivity, people want to have access to quality service. A part of it that the consumers may not be aware of is the investment that needs to go into the infrastructure that is used to deliver these services,” he added.

The Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, explained that the stakeholder meeting was focused on ensuring the sustainability of the industry. He confirmed that a 100 percent tariff increase was unlikely and that ongoing discussions would determine the final percentage, with an official announcement expected within a week or two.

“I know that Nigerians are agitated to hear the exact percentage approved. There is still some stakeholder engagements that we are going through, but you will hear from us within a week or two,” Maida said.

He also mentioned that the NCC had implemented several tools and instruments to ensure compliance with service quality standards and urged MNOs to adopt simpler pricing models to help consumers better understand charges.

“We are moving away from the regime where you will have a main rate, then you will now have a bonus which is at a different rate. It makes it often complicated and difficult for Nigerians to actually understand what they are being charged for. There is this agitation that the MNOs are stealing our data,” he added.

The CEO of Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, represented by Airtel’s media spokesperson Femi Adeniran, defended the proposed tariff adjustments, citing rising operational and capital costs.

“The economic realities of rising operational and capital costs necessitated the proposed tariff adjustments. This is aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of the sector while unlocking significant benefits for Nigerian consumers,” Balsingh stated.

 


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Banigbe, 9Mobile CEO Emphasizes the Need for Significant Investment in Infrastructure to Ensure Quality of Service

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Obafemi Banigbe, 9mobile CEO, has added his voice to the ongoing discussion on the proposed tariff hike, highlighting the telecom industry’s critical role in Nigeria’s economic growth.

He said “The telecom industry is a critical enabler of economic growth, but we are facing unprecedented challenges. We must find a balance between affordability and sustainability to ensure the industry remains viable and continues to provide quality services to Nigerians. The current situation has not achieved that balance, which is why we are having this conversation about sustainability,”

According to him, the industry is facing significant challenges, including macroeconomic headwinds, rising operational costs, and declining profitability. He emphasized that these challenges threaten the industry’s sustainability and ability to invest in infrastructure and quality of service.

“As you can imagine, both our capital and operational costs have risen dramatically, mainly because many of these costs are denominated in foreign currency or indexed to it, while our revenues are in local currency.

For instance, the Naira, which was previously around 400 to 450, has now officially surpassed 1,500—representing a nearly 350% increase in just the past two years.

This foreign exchange devaluation has caused our costs to surge. Even though the industry is seeing growth in top-line revenue, the increase in local currency revenue has not kept pace with the rising cost base,” he explained.

Banigbe’s comments come as the telecom industry continues to navigate the complexities of the proposed tariff hike. While some stakeholders have expressed concerns about the potential impact on consumers, others have argued that the hike is necessary to ensure the industry’s long-term sustainability. The telco chief said that if the sector does not remain viable, customers will not receive the services they expect.

Drawing from 9mobile’s experience, he pointed out that a lack of investment in recent years has led to a decline in service quality, causing customers to switch to competitors that offer better quality.

He stressed that this situation poses a significant threat to the industry’s sustainability.

“What we are saying is that every business must generate enough revenue to cover its costs and allow for reinvestment into the business. If we fail to generate sufficient revenue, we will have no choice but to borrow, either from shareholders or the capital market.

“Over the past two years, this is what many of us have been forced to do. However, this is not sustainable in the long term, as it will eventually become impossible to continue borrowing without a clear plan for repayment.”


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