SSDC, NITDA Forge Alliance to Drive Digital Inclusion for South South Youth
By Ekanem Asuquo
The South South Development Commission has intensified efforts to strengthen digital inclusion and youth empowerment in the region through a proposed collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency.
The roadmap for achieving this objective formed the focus of discussions when the Managing Director of the Commission, Ms Usoro Akpabio, visited the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, on February 10, 2027, at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja to explore areas of partnership.
Talks at the meeting centred on expanding digital skills training, promoting innovation, and improving access to information and communication technology opportunities for young people across the six states of the South South.
Ms Akpabio said the region has a large and vibrant youth population capable of becoming a major driver of Nigeria’s digital economy if equipped with the right skills and tools. She noted that collaboration with NITDA would help bridge existing digital skills gaps, create employment opportunities, and stimulate innovation led growth.
According to her, the Commission remains committed to leveraging technology as a catalyst for sustainable development and economic diversification in the region. She described NITDA as a strategic partner with proven expertise in digital capacity building, ICT infrastructure development, and innovation support.
In his response, the NITDA Director General expressed the agency’s readiness to work closely with the Commission in implementing technology driven programmes that promote digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment.
He reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to supporting initiatives that align with the Federal Government’s digital economy agenda and encourage inclusive participation nationwide.
The engagement signals growing synergy between federal digital transformation efforts and regional development priorities. Observers believe sustained collaboration between the two institutions could position the South South as a leading hub for digital talent and technology driven enterprise in Nigeria.
