WorldStage– The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has pledged to deepen accessible technology and digital skills initiatives to enable persons with disabilities participate fully in Nigeria’s digital economy.
The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, said this at the opening of a digital citizenship training for persons with disabilities, organised by the commission on Wednesday in Lagos.
Maida, who was represented by Mrs Helen Obi, Director of Digital Economy at NCC, said that digital transformation must be inclusive, accessible and people centred to ensure technology did not create new barriers.
He identified inaccessible digital products, high device, connectivity costs, inadequate digital skills and limited involvement in technology design as major obstacles to digital participation.
The NCC boss said that digital inclusion required appropriate devices, affordable and reliable broadband, accessible platforms, digital skills and secure systems.
He said that technology could significantly improve access to education, employment, entrepreneurship, public services and information for persons with disabilities.
“Digital technology should create opportunities, not create new barriers,” Maida said.
He described inclusion as central to the commission’s digital transformation agenda.
The EVC said that digital citizenship was beyond operating smartphones and computers, but encompassed responsible online behaviour, protection of personal information, recognition of scams, misinformation and awareness of digital rights.
He said that the commission had consequently pursued interventions including School Knowledge Centres, Information Resource Centres, University Connectivity Initiatives and e-Health projects through the Universal Service Provision Fund.
Maida said that NCC’s e-Accessibility Project had provided ICT tools and assistive technologies to institutions supporting persons with disabilities.
He said that the commission had also used its Professorial Chair Initiative to support research and innovation aimed at developing practical technological solutions to societal challenges.
Maida said that one of such innovations was an assistive walking stick prototype developed to support persons who are visually impaired.
He said that NCC was working towards further developing and potentially commercialising the prototype, while ensuring that it remained responsive to emerging technologies and users’ needs.
Maida also cited the fourth NCC Hackathon, with the theme: “Technology Without Barriers,” as another initiative demonstrating the commission’s commitment to developing accessible technological solutions.
He said that the digital citizenship training was designed to equip participants with practical competencies to use digital tools safely, responsibly and productively.
“Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of persons with disabilities to participate meaningfully in Nigeria’s digital economy,” the EVC said.
Also speaking, Mr Michael Idah, the Country Programme Manager, Christian Blind Mission (CBM), Nigeria Office, commended NCC for using digital skills to expand opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Idah affirmed CBM’s commitment to working with government institutions, civil society organisations, development partners and organisations of persons with disabilities.
He explained that CBM operated across 22 states, supporting disability inclusion, skills development, livelihood opportunities and access to vocational training.
The programme manager urged stakeholders to convert the training into tangible opportunities for learning, employment, entrepreneurship, advocacy and leadership.
He challenged participants to become champions of digital inclusion by sharing their knowledge, mentoring others and advocating for accessible digital platforms.
Also, Mrs Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, the General Manager, Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), described the training as a significant step towards preventing persons with disabilities from being excluded from the digital society.
Oyetunde-Lawal said that digital literacy had become essential for education, employment, entrepreneurship, access to information and meaningful participation in society.
She urged participants to translate the knowledge acquired into economic independence, employment opportunities and greater participation in the digital economy.
The LASODA boss pledged the agency’s continued collaboration with relevant institutions to build an inclusive Lagos, where disability would not constitute a barrier to opportunity, innovation and participation.
