First Lady inaugurates 10 digital learning centers to boost youth empowerment, ICT skills
The Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday inaugurated 10 National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Digital Learning Centers across the country, as part of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
The virtual ceremony was held at her office in the State House, Abuja.
Speaking during the inauguration, Mrs. Tinubu emphasised the importance of digital literacy in driving inclusive growth and economic empowerment across Nigeria.
She noted that the new centers, located in Abia, Delta, Edo, Kano, Katsina, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ondo, Yobe, and Zamfara States, were strategically designed to expand youth access to ICT training, foster entrepreneurship, and improve livelihoods.
“I urge members of the various beneficiary communities to make good use of these facilities to enhance learning, creativity, and entrepreneurship, thereby improving livelihoods and contributing to national development,” the First Lady said.
She added that the initiative aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which prioritised economic diversification through industrialisation and digitalization.
“By providing communities with the resources required to develop ICT skills, we are empowering our people to participate meaningfully in the digital economy,” she said.
Mrs. Tinubu also highlighted the potential for digitising various sectors, including agriculture and petty trading, noting that such efforts would improve the ease of doing business and enhance profitability for local entrepreneurs.
Earlier in the ceremony, the Director-General of NITDA, Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi, described digital transformation as a crucial tool for accelerating national development and economic diversification.
He said the centers would unlock opportunities across multiple sectors, particularly for women and youth.
“Through its various collaborations, RHI is empowering many Nigerians nationwide and serving as an enabler to drive national prosperity and inclusivity,” Abdullahi said.
Wives of state governors from the benefiting states participated in the virtual inauguration from their respective locations, underscoring the nationwide reach of the initiative.
The launch of these 10 centers adds to the 296 digital learning centers already established under the current administration, including 15 set up in partnership with RHI.
NITDA has also announced plans to construct an additional 148 centers across other regions, with the goal of reaching a total of 592 centers by 2027.
The initiative marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to deepen the adoption and utilization of digital tools among women and youth across Nigeria, creating opportunities for education, innovation, and economic empowerment.
