The Federal Government has committed to integrating 35 million Nigerians living with disabilities into its digital economy agenda, ensuring that no one is overlooked in the nation’s expanding technology landscape.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) announced this initiative as part of President Bola Tinubu’s focus on ‘Reforming the Economy for Sustained Inclusive Growth’. The agency aims to bridge the digital gap faced by people with special needs, recognising their crucial role in achieving widespread digital inclusion.

NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, stressed the importance of intentional programme design to reach this demographic. “There is no way we can achieve 95 per cent digital inclusion if we exclude 35 million Nigerians,” he said. “We must be more intentional in the way we design our programmes.” While the agency has previously run targeted training for people with disabilities, it is now expanding these efforts nationwide. This includes adapting infrastructure, revising recruitment policies, and involving disability advocates directly in policymaking.

To ensure sustained impact, NITDA plans to include representatives from the disability community in national committees responsible for ICT standards, training curricula, and policy frameworks. This approach is intended to cut through bureaucratic barriers and improve implementation. Inuwa also proposed embedding disability considerations into existing national tech initiatives such as the NYSC digital programmes, women’s tech training cohorts, and upcoming tech conferences.

Highlighting the broader goal beyond mere training, Inuwa remarked, “For us, it’s beyond just training. The real goal is empowerment: how we can train people to use IT to expand their businesses and improve their lives.”

The Inclusive Friends Association (IFA), a leading disability advocacy group, welcomed NITDA’s responsiveness. Its Executive Director, Grace Jerry, urged that particular attention be paid to ensuring representation of people with disabilities, especially women in northern Nigeria, in ongoing digital policy reviews. “Digital literacy is fast becoming a foundational skill for employment, and without deliberate inclusion, millions will be left behind,” she said.

NITDA reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with disability-focused organisations to create a digital economy that serves all Nigerians, reflecting a shared vision of inclusive growth and opportunity.