NYSC Members Take Nigeria’s Digital Skills Drive to Local Communities

NITDA presents laptops and support funding to NYSC corps members as part of Nigeria’s grassroots digital literacy drive.

Nigeria’s push for digital inclusion gains momentum as NYSC members lead grassroots digital literacy training across markets, schools, and rural areas nationwide.

Nigeria’s plan to build a strong digital economy is no longer limited to big cities or government offices. It is now reaching the grassroots, thanks to National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members who are taking digital knowledge directly to everyday Nigerians.

Across the country, young corps members are teaching basic digital skills in places where many people least expect it. From classrooms and market squares to motor parks, NYSC camps and rural villages, these youths are helping Nigerians learn how to use technology in simple and practical ways.

This growing effort is part of the Federal Government’s Digital Literacy for All (DL4All) programme, which aims to make sure Nigerians are not left behind in today’s digital world. The programme focuses on helping people understand how to use smartphones, the internet, digital payments, and online platforms safely and productively.

Stakeholders discuss strategies to expand digital skills training across Nigeria through NYSC-driven programmes.

Recently, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, visited the NYSC National Headquarters in Abuja to recognize the efforts of corps members involved in the digital literacy campaign.

During the visit, he praised the young Nigerians for going beyond their compulsory service duties to support national development. According to Abdullahi, the role of NYSC members is crucial because they are closer to the people. He explained that many Nigerians, especially in rural and underserved communities, lack basic digital skills that could help improve their lives. By teaching them how to use technology, corps members are opening doors to new opportunities.

He noted that digital literacy is not just about knowing how to use a phone or computer. It also includes understanding how to stay safe online, avoid internet scams, verify information, and use digital tools to grow businesses or find jobs. These skills, he said, are essential in today’s economy.

Officials and partners pose for a group photo during the launch of a youth-led digital literacy initiative in Nigeria.

Receiving the NITDA boss, the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, highlighted the important role young people play in nation building. He said the NYSC scheme continues to serve as a strong platform for empowering youths to make real impact in communities across Nigeria.

Nafiu explained that the involvement of corps members in digital training aligns perfectly with the NYSC’s mission of promoting national development. He added that by teaching digital skills, corps members are helping to reduce the gap between those who have access to technology and those who do not.

To encourage and support the initiative, NITDA presented laptops and cash rewards to selected corps members who stood out as Digital Literacy Champions. These awards were given to recognize their dedication and to motivate more young Nigerians to join the campaign. Abdullahi described the rewards as an investment in Nigeria’s future, stressing that empowered youths are key to driving long-term digital growth. He said supporting corps members will help expand the reach of digital training to more communities nationwide.

The NITDA boss also reaffirmed that digital transformation remains a key part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic agenda. According to him, a digitally skilled population is necessary for job creation, innovation, and economic diversification. He assured that NITDA will continue to work closely with NYSC and other partners to ensure digital skills reach Nigerians of all ages, regardless of location.

NYSC corps members join government officials as Nigeria pushes digital literacy programmes deeper into communities.

The goal, he said, is to make sure no community is left out of Nigeria’s digital journey. As the programme continues to grow, many Nigerians are already benefiting from the efforts of these young corps members. For traders learning digital payments, students exploring online resources, and rural residents discovering new tools, the impact is real and growing. With NYSC members leading the way, Nigeria’s digital push is clearly moving from policy papers to people’s lives, one community at a time.