The federal government of Nigeria is ramping up efforts to deepen digital inclusion by targeting over 1,600 underserved communities with the rollout of Information Technology (IT) centres.
Spearheaded by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), this campaign forms a cornerstone of the federal government’s ambition to transform Africa’s most populous nation into a $1 trillion digital powerhouse by 2030.
“We want to have this infrastructure almost everywhere,” Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, director-general of NITDA, declared at the commissioning of the Akesan IT Centre in Lagos, Thursday.
To date, 222 centres have been established under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, of which only 18 serve communities deemed underserved.
Bridging this gap is vital if Nigeria is to harness the full potential of its population, nearly 60 percent of whom are under the age of 25 and increasingly tech-savvy.
While he disclosed government intentions to build more in order to drive inclusivity, the challenges, according to him, lie in the communities to own it.
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“Our target is to build more than 1,600 across the country. We want every community, every Nigerian to be part of this national prosperity and inclusivity when it comes to the digital economy.”
The IT centre which is expected to be co-managed by the community in partnership with the agency will be an incubating arena for innovation, knowledge sharing and expansion of digital skills and expertise among the youths, a rare opportunity that could unlock potentials and create thousands of employment if sustained.
According to the DG, the centre represents the President’s commitment to digitally inclusive Nigeria, where every citizen, regardless of societal or social status, gender, and affiliation, has access to digital infrastructure and skills.
“The President wants to drive that inclusivity by directing us to design, conceptualize, and build these kinds of centres in underserved and unserved communities, so that people from remote areas, unserved communities, have access to the latest technology.”
One flagship initiative linked to these centres is the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, which aims to equip young Nigerians with in-demand skills such as software development, cybersecurity, data analytics and digital marketing.
By situating training facilities closer to home, the government hopes to reduce travel barriers and extend opportunities to remote areas where internet penetration can be as low as 30 percent.
In his remarks, Bosun Tijani, the minister of communications, innovation & digital economy said the centre would allow for decentralised opportunity, expanded access to digital skills, and make innovation part of the everyday experience of Nigerians, no matter where they live or work.
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According to the minister who was represented by Johnson Bareyei, director, e-government, ministry of communications, digital economy and innovation, the community centre will serve as a hub for: digital skills development through the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme and support for startups, creatives, and tech entrepreneurs who are building globally competitive solutions.
It will also provide regulatory guidance and advisory for safe, inclusive innovation and collaboration with local institutions, private sector actors, and communities that are shaping the future of our digital economy.
The minister stated that the initiative and others being carried out by his ministry are a “critical imperative” towards making Nigeria a $1trillion economy powered by innovation, infrastructure, and inclusive growth.
However, the ultimate success of the drive will depend on sustained funding, robust maintenance plans and effective governance frameworks that prevent neglect or underuse of facilities.
Local ownership models must be accompanied by clear roles, performance metrics and incentives to ensure that centres remain vibrant and responsive to community needs.
