The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening youth online safety and digital literacy through an expanded strategic partnership with Meta, as part of efforts to build a digitally inclusive economy and enhance trust in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
The Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, reiterated the commitment at the Youth Safety Summit organised by Meta at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. The summit brought together stakeholders from government, industry, civil society organisations, and the education sector to advance collaborative efforts aimed at ensuring young Nigerians enjoy safe, age-appropriate, and positive online experiences.
Speaking through the Acting Director of Digital Literacy and Capacity Building Department, Dr Ahmed Tambuwal, the NITDA Director General said the Agency’s collaboration with Meta aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly the priorities of reforming the economy for sustained inclusive growth and strengthening national security through enhanced cybersecurity and digital trust.
He noted that developing a digitally skilled population capable of navigating the online environment safely is essential for unlocking innovation, entrepreneurship, job creation, and broader economic opportunities.
Addressing the summit’s theme, “Advancing Youth Online Safety Through Collaborative Action,” Inuwa emphasised that protecting young people online requires collective responsibility.
“Today’s theme is both timely and compelling. It reminds us that while digital technologies have created unprecedented opportunities for learning, innovation, entrepreneurship, and social connection, ensuring that young people can benefit from these opportunities safely is a shared responsibility,” he said.
A major highlight of the summit was the launch of the Youth Online Safety Campaign and My Digital World (MDW) 2.0, initiatives developed by Meta in partnership with NITDA and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.
The NITDA boss stressed that digital literacy cannot be separated from online safety, insisting that citizens must not only acquire digital skills but also understand how to use digital technologies responsibly and ethically.
“At NITDA, we believe that digital literacy and online safety are inseparable. Equipping citizens with digital skills without teaching them how to navigate the digital world safely, responsibly, and ethically would leave our work incomplete,” he stated.
He explained that this philosophy is embedded in NITDA’s National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF) and its flagship Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative, through which the Agency aims to achieve 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027 and 95 per cent by 2030.
According to him, online safety, digital citizenship, privacy, digital wellbeing, critical thinking, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy have become core competencies within the framework.
“Within this framework, online safety, digital citizenship, privacy, digital wellbeing, critical thinking and, increasingly, Artificial Intelligence literacy are treated not as optional topics, but as essential competencies for every Nigerian,” he added.
Highlighting the impact of the partnership with Meta, Inuwa disclosed that both organisations jointly implemented the Youth Online Safety and Wellbeing Campaign over the past year, reaching more than 94 million people and generating over 216 million impressions across Facebook and Instagram. The campaign provided millions of Nigerians with practical guidance on online safety, privacy protection, digital wellbeing, and responsible internet use.
He further noted that the collaboration extended to activities marking Safer Internet Day, during which members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) were trained to become advocates of responsible digital behaviour within their communities. The partnership was also reinforced during the Nigeria Digital Economy Forum, where both organisations reaffirmed their commitment to advancing innovation and digital inclusion.
Expressing optimism over the launch of My Digital World 2.0, Inuwa described the initiative as a strategic platform for institutionalising online safety education within Nigeria’s broader digital literacy ecosystem.
“We believe MDW 2.0 presents an excellent opportunity to institutionalise online safety education within Nigeria’s broader digital literacy ecosystem,” he said.
He revealed that NITDA plans to integrate the programme into its teacher capacity-building initiatives, strengthen resources available to its nationwide network of Digital Literacy Champions, and expand awareness campaigns through partnerships with state governments, traditional institutions, faith-based organisations, and community stakeholders.
According to him, ensuring children’s safety online requires informed families, empowered educators, and digitally aware communities.
“Our shared ambition should be to ensure that every Nigerian child is supported not only by safer digital platforms, but also by informed parents, empowered teachers, and digitally confident communities,” he remarked.
Describing the launch as a significant milestone, Inuwa said it marked the beginning of a deeper collaboration between government and industry to prepare a new generation of Nigerians for the digital future.
“Today’s launch is more than the unveiling of another programme. It is the beginning of a deeper strategic collaboration between government and industry to build a generation of Nigerians who are digitally skilled, digitally responsible, and digitally resilient,” he stated.
He reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to working with Meta and other stakeholders to build a secure, inclusive, and trusted digital ecosystem where innovation thrives, opportunities are accessible to all, and every Nigerian can participate confidently in the digital economy.
Also at the event were the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, and the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim. Both ministers reaffirmed their ministries’ commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders to develop and implement policies that promote a safe, inclusive, and enabling digital environment for young Nigerians to navigate the internet responsibly and securely.
