Abuja: Waterlight Save Initiative, a Non-Governmental Organisation, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and other NGOs have unveiled a strategic partnership to advance digital literacy among children and youths in the country. The groups who converged on Abuja on Tuesday to celebrate the 2025 Children’s Day, all assured of digital education for Nigerian children.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Ero Ibhafidon, founder of Waterlight Save Initiative, acknowledged challenges in the education sector and emphasized efforts to ensure every child receives basic education. He highlighted the importance of training children in skills acquisition alongside formal education, stating, “We are not limiting our efforts to the classroom alone, but also skill acquisitions is also something that we want to start promoting, which we’ve already started. We want to take it up to the next level in digital education.”
Ibhafidon also addressed the concerning rate of out-of-school children, quot
ing the late Prof. Obafemi Awolowo: “If you ignore the children of the poor, then indirectly you are not protecting the peace of your own children in the future.” He stressed the need for children to acquire various skills, especially in the digital realm, to prepare for the future.
The partnership with NITDA is seen as crucial by Ibhafidon, who believes that technology is the way forward, and NITDA is pivotal in this domain. Iklima Musa, Special Assistant on Strategic Partnerships to the Director-General of NITDA, Malam Kashifu Inuwa, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to nurturing the “next generation of innovators.” She explained that NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2024-2027 includes the National Digital Literacy Framework aimed at achieving 70% digital literacy among Nigerians, including children. This framework emphasizes digital safety and ethical awareness to protect children online.
Dr. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, Executive Director of the Sunday and Omoikhere Oriaran Foundation, highlighted th
e need to build hope among children for a better Nigeria. She emphasized the importance of preparing children for the future, stating, “The future belongs to them. And if the future belongs to them, we have to nurture them and get them ready for that future.” She also underscored the significance of celebrating children and providing platforms for orphaned children to excel and explore their talents.
Some children expressed their appreciation for the activities, with Emmanuella Onyema expressing gratitude to the organizers and urging the government to improve education quality.
