The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has expressed its readiness to partner with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) to promote digital literacy, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity awareness, fact-checking and women-focused digital capacity development across the country.
The agency also pledged its support for the forthcoming Women in Security (WINSEC) Summit and Awards 2026.
The commitment was made in Abuja when the National Chairperson of NAWOJ, Comrade Aisha Ibrahim, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, represented by the Director of Stakeholders Management and Partnership, Dr. Aristotle Onumo.
Speaking during the visit, Dr. Onumo described collaboration as a key pillar of NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan, noting that NAWOJ’s proposal aligns with the agency’s vision of building a digitally enabled nation through inclusive technological innovation.
He said gender inclusion remains central to NITDA’s programmes, revealing that about 40 per cent of the agency’s initiatives are dedicated to promoting women’s participation in the digital economy under its National Gender Inclusion Strategy.
According to him, NITDA is targeting 70 per cent digital literacy among Nigerians by 2027 through partnerships with institutions such as the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the Federal Ministry of Education, universities and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
Onumo said a partnership with NAWOJ would further expand digital literacy by equipping women journalists with digital skills and empowering them to extend such knowledge to women in communities across the country.
He also assured the association of NITDA’s active participation in the WINSEC Summit and Awards 2026, urging NAWOJ to submit a formal proposal detailing areas of collaboration, technical support and the agency’s expected role.
To sustain the relationship beyond the summit, he proposed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to define the objectives, responsibilities, timelines and expected outcomes of the partnership.
Onumo further invited NAWOJ members to participate in the Digital Nigeria International Conference 2026, describing it as the country’s largest government-backed technology conference and an opportunity for women journalists to enhance their digital skills and professional networks.
Also speaking, NITDA’s Deputy Director of Cybersecurity, Dr. Ayo Bakare, stressed the need for journalists to embrace emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, to remain relevant in the rapidly evolving media landscape.
He warned that AI-driven misinformation and disinformation pose growing threats to credible journalism and national security, emphasizing the importance of digital literacy, cybersecurity awareness and fact-checking skills for media professionals.
Bakare assured NAWOJ of the agency’s support in equipping women journalists with the knowledge and digital tools required to combat misinformation and strengthen ethical reporting in the AI era.
Earlier, NAWOJ National Chairperson, Comrade Aisha Ibrahim, commended NITDA for its role in advancing Nigeria’s digital economy through initiatives in artificial intelligence, innovation, cybersecurity, digital literacy and inclusion.
She said the association was seeking a strategic partnership with the agency to strengthen the digital capacity of women journalists while promoting responsible technology reporting and public awareness on emerging digital issues.
Ibrahim also formally invited NITDA to partner with NAWOJ for the Women in Security (WINSEC) Summit and Awards 2026, describing the event as a national platform that will convene government institutions, security agencies, technology experts, policymakers, development partners, academia, civil society organisations and the media to advance discussions on security, innovation and national development.
She appealed for NITDA’s support through technical expertise, institutional collaboration, sponsorship and participation in a strategic session on technology and security, noting that the agency’s contribution would enrich conversations on the role of digital innovation in strengthening national security.
Both organisations expressed optimism that the proposed partnership would deepen digital inclusion, equip women journalists with future-ready digital skills, promote responsible technology reporting and contribute to Nigeria’s digital transformation.
