NCC targets digital barriers, empowers PWDs with skills, assistive technology

L -R: Director, Monitoring, Orientation and Evaluation, Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), Dr. Adekola Oluwafunmilayo: Assistant Director, Lagos State Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (MIST), Mr. Akeem Olayiwola; Director, Digital Economy, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Ms Helen Obi; Country Program Manager, Christian Blind Mission, (CBM), Nigeria Country Office Abuja, Mr. Michael Idah; and Director, Head of Unit E-Government, Project Management Office, Lagos State Ministry of Innovation Science and Technology (MIST), Mr. Lateef Alani, during the Digital Citizenship for Persons with Disabilities, in Lagos

Stanley Ihedigbo

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has trained more than 100 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Lagos State on digital citizenship, cybersecurity, data protection and assistive technologies as part of efforts to promote an inclusive digital economy.

The two-day training, held on September 9 and 10, 2026, was organised under the theme, “Empowering Persons with Disabilities Through Digital Citizenship for an Inclusive Digital Economy.”

The programme exposed participants to digital foundations, internet and digital communication, cybersecurity, data protection, assistive technologies and responsible participation in the digital space.

Beyond basic digital skills, the training equipped participants with practical knowledge on protecting personal information, identifying online scams and avoiding the disclosure of sensitive information to unknown persons.

Participants were also introduced to accessibility features, including speech-to-text tools, which can enhance the independence of persons with disabilities in using digital devices.

The programme equally addressed social challenges confronting PWDs, including discrimination, while encouraging participants not to allow negative perceptions about disability to limit their confidence, abilities or participation in society.

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, said the initiative demonstrated the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that disability does not prevent Nigerians from participating meaningfully in the digital economy.

Maida, who was represented by the Director, Digital Economy Department, Helen Obi, said digital inclusion should go beyond internet connectivity.

According to him, digital citizenship involves acquiring the knowledge, skills and responsible behaviours required to participate safely and meaningfully online, protect personal information, recognise scams and misinformation, safeguard digital identities, and understand digital rights and responsibilities.

He noted that technology could be particularly transformative for PWDs by removing barriers to education and employment, supporting entrepreneurship and remote work, improving access to information and public services, and promoting greater independence through assistive technologies.

Maida told the participants that they were not merely beneficiaries of digital inclusion programmes but important participants and contributors to Nigeria’s digital economy.

He said the NCC’s objective was to help build a Nigeria where disability would not determine whether an individual could access education and public services, secure employment, establish a business or contribute productively to society.

The Lagos training is part of a broader NCC initiative to provide digital skills training for Persons with Disabilities across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones..

Maida also highlighted the Commission’s E-Accessibility Project, which provides ICT tools and assistive technologies to institutions supporting PWDs.

He said the NCC had also supported research into assistive technology, including an assistive walking-stick prototype for blind and visually impaired persons.

The Commission’s fourth NCC Hackathon, themed “Technology Without Barriers,” was also cited as another initiative aimed at encouraging innovators to develop technology solutions that promote accessibility and inclusion.

Maida stressed that connectivity alone could not guarantee meaningful digital inclusion unless Nigerians possessed the knowledge and confidence to use technology safely, responsibly and productively.

He called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, regulators, technology companies, service providers, development partners, civil society organisations and Organisations of Persons with Disabilities to ensure accessibility is incorporated into the design and deployment of digital products and services.

The NCC also acknowledged the Lagos State Government, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs and other stakeholders supporting the initiative.

For the participants, the training provided practical knowledge that could help them protect personal information, identify potential scams, communicate through assistive technologies and navigate the digital environment with greater confidence and independence.