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NITDA NCRMI
Group picture of members present at the NITDA, NCRMI meeting.

The director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to driving inclusive digital transformation, with a special focus on Nigeria’s displaced populations.

Abdullahi gave this assurance during a strategic engagement with the leadership of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) at NITDA’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.

He highlighted the productive relationship NITDA and NCFRMI have built over the years through staff capacity-building and ICT support. He disclosed plans to reactivate and expand this collaboration by supplying new IT equipment and rolling out customised digital literacy programmes in resettlement cities.

This renewed partnership aligns with NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2024–2027), which targets achieving 70% digital literacy across Nigeria by 2027, a core component of the Federal Government’s digital economy vision.

Abdullahi outlined key strategies to deepen impact, including setting up community-based digital learning centres equipped with shared devices, deploying trained National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to deliver ICT training in camps and providing ICT infrastructure tailored to the specific needs of each community.

He further revealed that NITDA is collaborating with an international partner to establish tech hubs in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps within the Federal Capital Territory. To maximise effectiveness, he emphasised the need for a formal workstream with NCFRMI to conduct joint needs assessments, design community-specific solutions and develop a scalable model for nationwide adoption.

According to him, this strengthened alliance is vital for expanding impact and ensuring more Nigerians benefit, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.

Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI, Hon. Tijani Ahmed praised NITDA’s leadership in advancing national development through technology. He noted that Nigeria hosts over 6.1 million internally displaced persons, mainly due to insecurity, insurgency and natural disasters, with over 125,000 Nigerians seeking refuge in neighbouring countries.

He stressed that while the Federal Government is addressing these challenges, more partnerships are needed to empower vulnerable groups. He explained that the collaboration goes beyond digital skills, aiming to restore dignity and opportunities for displaced families.

Ahmed highlighted efforts to strengthen host communities by improving access to clean water, rehabilitating schools and expanding healthcare services. He said resettlement cities have been established in Kano, Borno, Zamfara, Katsina and Daura, with a new site in Keffi, Nasarawa State, currently housing over 40 households. These centres provide shelter, healthcare, markets, schools, vocational training hubs and farmland to help displaced people rebuild their lives.

“Digital literacy has become a key empowerment tool. With initiatives like JAMB’s computer-based testing (CBT), we must ensure displaced children and youth gain the ICT skills they need to succeed. We are committed to working closely with NITDA to ensure no Nigerian child is left behind,” Ahmed affirmed.


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