Digital Inclusion Drive: First Lady Expands Access to ICT Education Under Renewed Hope Agenda
Fostering the Renewed Hope Initiative, the First Lady of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has commissioned Digital Learning Centers at Ujabhole Grammar School, Irrua in Edo state.
The commissioning occured simultaneously across ten states in the country.
Mrs. Tinubu said the initiative is aimed to improve digital literacy among Nigerian students, promote digital inclusion and improve access to quality education, thereby bridging the educational divide in Nigeria.
During the ceremony, Sen. Tinubu, through virtual connection, explained that the initiative expands digital access, empowering Nigerians with Information Communication Technology (ICT) skills to participate in the digital economy, in line with the Federal Ministry’s mandate.
In her words, “Today’s commissioning presents another opportunity under the mandate of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, to further expand digital access across the country by providing communities with the resources required to develop ICT skills, thereby empowering our people to participate meaningfully in the digital economy”.
Sen. Tinubu added that the initiative aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to diversify Nigeria’s economy through digitalization, urging beneficiaries, especially youths, to utilize the facilities to boost learning, creativity, entrepreneurship and national development.
The Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, reaffirmed the First Lady’s words, while declaring that the initiative plans to install 592 digital learning centres by year 2027, to empower citizens, especially women, with digital access. According to him, it aimed to enhance livelihoods and drive economic growth, as digital literacy benefits farmers, traders and entrepreneurs, increasing opportunities and revenue.
In her remarks, the Edo state Office of the First Lady Coordinator, Mrs. Edesili Anani, appreciated Sen. Tinubu and the stakeholders for their contributions to the initiative, which seeks to equip students with 21st-century skills. She stated that the centre signifies a commitment to technology-driven learning and progress through collaborative efforts.
Mrs. Anani encouraged students as beneficiaries of the initiative, to utilize the centre. She also urged teachers to integrate digital tools into learning, expressing her belief in education as a tool that unlocks young people’s potential and drives development.
