NCC pushes digital inclusion for persons with disabilities

Towards building an inclusive digital economy, the Nigerian Communications Commission, in partnership with CBM International Nigeria, has called for greater inclusion of persons with disabilities in Nigeria’s digital sector.

The call was made during a two-day specialised Digital Citizenship Training for Persons with Disabilities held in Lagos recently, which attracted a large number of participants living with disabilities, alongside representatives of government agencies, development partners and other stakeholders.

The training, organised to equip persons with disabilities with essential digital skills, online safety awareness and tools for meaningful participation in Nigeria’s expanding digital economy, was themed “Empowering Persons with Disabilities Through Digital Citizenship for an Inclusive Digital Economy.”

Speaking at the event, the Director, Digital Economy Department, NCC, Ms Helen Obi, who represented the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Dr Aminu Maida, said Nigeria’s digital transformation must be inclusive, accessible and people-centred.

Obi said digital technology had become central to communication, education, trade, access to public and financial services, and productivity, but noted that persons with disabilities continued to face barriers, including inaccessible digital products, the high cost of devices and connectivity, inadequate digital skills and limited participation in the design of digital services.

“Digital inclusion must therefore encompass accessibility, affordability, digital skills, safety and meaningful use,” she said.

Citing World Health Organisation data, Obi said approximately 1.3 billion people, representing one in six people globally, experienced a significant disability, adding that digital exclusion remained a critical barrier to achieving a truly inclusive digital economy.

According to her, digital citizenship went beyond operating a smartphone or computer to include the knowledge, skills and responsible behaviours required to participate safely and meaningfully online, protect personal information, recognise scams and misinformation, safeguard digital identity, and understand digital rights and responsibilities.

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“For Persons with Disabilities, technology can remove barriers to education and employment, support entrepreneurship and remote work, improve access to information and public services, and promote greater independence through assistive technologies,” she said.

For his part, the Country Programme Manager, CBM International Nigeria, Michael Idah, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to advancing disability-inclusive development across the public and private sectors.

Idah said while technical training was crucial, the ultimate measure of success would be the translation of digital skills into long-term systemic change, employment pathways and accessible infrastructure.

Also, the Director of Monitoring, Evaluation and Orientation, Dr Adekola Oluwafunmilayo, who represented the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, said the collaboration with the NCC marked an important step towards strengthening digital skills and economic empowerment for persons with disabilities.

She explained that skills development would improve the economic capacity and independence of persons with disabilities, thereby enhancing their well-being.

Adekola noted that some persons with disabilities operated businesses that were not formally registered, limiting their access to certain financial opportunities.

Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Education said 16,000 Nigerians had been enrolled in the inaugural cohort of its Digital Training Academy, a free government-sponsored initiative designed to equip young Nigerians with globally recognised digital skills.

The ministry said the programme formed part of the government’s efforts to develop a highly skilled workforce capable of competing in the global digital economy, while complementing existing investments in digital skills development.