Every year on September 8th, the world observes International Literacy Day as a call to action. It serves as a reminder that literacy is more than just being able to read and write; it is a basic human right that opens doors and enables people to fully engage in their respective society. With this year's theme, "Promoting literacy in the digital era," we acknowledge the new literacy frontiers , while also celebrating the power of language. In Nigeria, this entails tackling the pressing issue of digital literacy in a world that is changing so quickly.
The Digital Divide in Nigeria: Key Statistics
The digital divide is a significant challenge in Nigeria, and recent data highlights the key disparities across several metrics.
Rural vs. Urban Access
• Internet Access: A significant gap exists between rural and urban areas. According to a GSMA report, 68% of Nigerians in rural areas are unconnected to the internet, compared to 42% in urban areas. This rural-urban divide is one of the highest among low and middle-income countries.
• Internet Penetration: As of May 2025, Nigeria's overall internet penetration stood at 48.8%. However, this number masks the vast differences between regions.
The Gender Gap
• Internet Use: There is a noticeable gender disparity in internet use. A USAID report from 2023 indicated that the gender gap in internet usage in Nigeria was about 17.05%. Data from UNICEF further shows that in low-income countries, 90% of adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 are offline, compared to 78% of boys and young men of the same age.
• Digital Skills: The lack of digital skills disproportionately affects women. Across 32 countries, UNICEF found that for every 100 male youth with digital skills, only 65 female youth possess them.
The data confirms that Nigeria's digital divide is a complex issue driven by a combination of geographic and gender-based.
Smart Aid Initiatives: Bridging the Divide, One Educator at a Time
At Smart Aid Initiatives, we believe that tackling the digital divide begins with empowering the people who shape the next generation: our teachers and educators. A significant step was taken in this mission whereby, we conducted a groundbreaking training for over 100 educators in Kaduna State. This initiative, part of the Equal-TES project, is a strategic collaboration with the Hadis Foundation, with funding from Luminate.
The project goes beyond simply teaching basic computer skills. We are focused on a critical, often-overlooked aspect of digital literacy: responsible and ethical technology use. As AI becomes more integrated into daily life, it's vital that our educators understand not only how to use these tools but also the ethical principles that must guide their use. We trained them on key areas like:
• Data privacy and digital rights: How to protect personal information online.
• AI literacy: Understanding how AI works and its potential for bias.
• Ethical principles: Integrating fairness, transparency, and accountability into technology use.
A key innovation of this program is our new AI-powered chatbot, which serves as an on-demand resource for teachers and students. This tool provides accessible information on ethical technology practices, ensuring that this crucial knowledge is available anytime, anywhere, and to everyone.
By empowering educators, we are creating a multiplier effect. These teachers will go on to train hundreds, and eventually thousands, of students, creating a ripple effect of responsible tech adoption throughout Kaduna State and beyond. We are building a generation of young Nigerians who are not just tech-savvy but are also ethical digital citizens, ready to use technology to solve real-world problems.
Join Us to Build an Equitable Digital Future
The work we've started in Kaduna is just the beginning. The digital divide is a complex, nationwide challenge, and it requires sustained effort and collaboration. On this International Literacy Day,
We invite you to join us in our mission to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of their background or location, has the opportunity to thrive in the digital world.
Your support is crucial. Together, we can expand our training programs, develop more innovative tools, and advocate for policies that prioritize digital inclusion for all. Let’s work hand-in-hand to build a future where technology is a tool of empowerment, not a source of exclusion.
Support Smart Aid Initiative today.