Nigeria’s drive toward a 70% digital literacy rate by 2027 faces a stark challenge: a current adult basic literacy rate of just 63.1%. This discrepancy highlights the complex task of bridging foundational education with technological advancement, as outlined during a government-citizens forum in Kaduna led by Kashifu Inuwa, Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
The government’s initiative, part of the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, has already trained over 350,000 individuals in digital skills. The goal is to integrate digital education from primary to tertiary levels, alongside training National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to become digital ambassadors. This approach is supported by infrastructure projects, including 90,000 km of fiber optic cable and digital centers in every state, aimed at connecting underserved communities.
However, the gap between Nigeria’s ambitions and current reality remains significant. According to World Bank data, over 50% of Nigerians lack basic digital skills. Just 68% can use smartphones at a basic level, and only 39% can operate laptops or tablets. Gender disparities are also evident, with only 45% of women aware of mobile internet, compared to 62% of men.
Inuwa acknowledges that achieving the 70% target by 2027 requires robust up-skilling efforts and formal education reforms. These include training entire student cohorts in computing and coding, as well as certifying three million technical talents under the 3MTT program by 2027. Despite these plans, administrative challenges persist, particularly in the absence of consistent assessment instruments or a formal certification system.
Infrastructure gaps further complicate the digital literacy mission. Despite the landing of eight undersea cables and expansion of fiber optics, only about 48% of Nigerians have broadband access. High costs imposed by state governments for right-of-way access restrict last-mile deployment, and many digital centers remain underutilized.
Success in digital literacy has already shown some impact, particularly in the fintech sector. Nigeria now hosts over 217 fintech startups, securing 42% of venture capital funding on the continent. Digital financial inclusion, agent banking, and mobile payments are increasingly reaching rural communities, creating new opportunities in content creation, e-commerce, and remote work.
Northern Nigeria, where NITDA’s 3MTT program has enrolled over 350,000 trainees since 2023, is a key focus area for narrowing gender and regional disparities [1]. The integration of digital training into NYSC programs also aims to embed these skills into informal sectors. However, quality and depth of instruction in government schools remain questionable, with many still lacking basic ICT tools and trained teachers.
Non-governmental efforts, such as Tech Herfrica’s women-focused digital training initiatives, are playing a crucial role in addressing these gaps. Such programs highlight the importance of offline, in-person training in regions where digital rollout is slow.
Despite these efforts, Nigeria’s digital ambitions cannot succeed without addressing literacy at the foundational level. If many adults cannot read, they cannot complete online applications or navigate digital services. This underlines the need for SMS-based lessons, offline tutorials, and community-level training to bridge the literacy gap while formal education systems improve.
Ultimately, Nigeria’s 70% digital literacy target is both ambitious and necessary. However, success depends on coordinated strategies that include access to devices, teacher training, standardized certification, and institutional trust in digital governance. Without these, the promise of digital inclusion risks becoming an unattainable dream for millions of Nigerians left behind by both literacy and connectivity gaps.