By Juliet Umeh

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, and Christian Blind Mission, CBM, have called for greater investment in accessible digital infrastructure, skills and technologies to enable Persons with Disabilities, PWDs, to participate fully in Nigeria’s digital economy.

They made the call yesterday in Lagos at the opening of a two-day Digital Citizenship Training for PWDs in Lagos State, organised by the NCC.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, who was represented by the Director, Digital Economy, NCC, Ms Helen Obi, said digital transformation must be inclusive, accessible and people-centred.

Maida said the digital economy had become central to communication, education, trade, financial services and productivity, but warned that persons with disabilities could be excluded when digital products and services were not designed with accessibility in mind.

“Participation in the digital economy now requires more than basic internet access; it requires appropriate devices, affordable and reliable broadband, digital skills, accessible platforms, and secure systems,” he said.

According to him, digital citizenship goes beyond operating a smartphone or computer, as it includes the ability to participate safely online, protect personal information, recognise scams and misinformation, safeguard digital identity and understand digital rights and responsibilities.

“For Persons with Disabilities, technology can be particularly transformative. It can remove barriers to education and employment, support entrepreneurship and remote work, improve access to information and public services, and promote greater independence through assistive technologies,” Maida said.

He said the NCC had implemented initiatives including School Knowledge Centres, Information Resource Centres, university connectivity projects, e-Health interventions and its E-Accessibility Project, which provides ICT tools and assistive technologies to institutions supporting PWDs.

Maida also highlighted the NCC Hackathon, themed “Technology Without Barriers,” and an assistive walking-stick prototype developed through the NCC Professorial Chair Initiative.

He urged participants to see themselves as contributors to the digital economy, saying, “Your talents, ideas, businesses and aspirations have value, and technology can help take them further.”

Also speaking, CBM Nigeria Country Programme Manager, Michael Idah, described disability inclusion as “both a development priority and a human rights imperative.”

Idah urged government to invest in accessible infrastructure and inclusive policies, while calling on the private sector to create employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for PWDs.

He challenged participants to become “champions of digital inclusion,” saying, “The future of Nigeria’s digital economy must be one in which no one is left behind.”