L -R: Dr. Adekola Oluwafunmilayo, Director, Monitoring Orientation and Evaluation, Lagos Stat Office for Disability Affairs, LASODA; Mr. Akeem Olayiwola, Assistant Director, Lagos State Ministry of Innovation Science and Technology (MIST); Ms Helen Obi, Director, Digital Economy, NCC; Mr. Michael Idah, Country Program Manager, Christian Blind Mission, (CBM), Nigeria Country Office Abuja; Mr. Lateef Alani, Director, Head of Unit E-Government, Project Management Office, Lagos State Ministry of Innovation Science and Technology (MIST), during the Digital Citizenship for Persons with Disabilities, on 9 -10 September 2026 at the Cordis Hotel, Ikeja Lagos
To ensure disability does not exclude Nigerians from digital economy, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has trained over 100 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Lagos State on digital citizenship, cybersecurity, data protection and assistive technologies.
The two-day Digital Citizenship Training for Persons with Disabilities was held in Lagos under the theme, “Empowering Persons with Disabilities Through Digital Citizenship for an Inclusive Digital Economy.”
The programme covered digital foundations, internet and digital communication, cybersecurity basics, data protection, assistive technologies and responsible participation in the digital space.
Participants said the training changed how they understood online safety and independence — learning to protect personal data, identify giveaway scams, avoid disclosing sensitive information, and use accessibility features such as speech-to-text for everyday device use.
The training also addressed social realities including discrimination, helping participants understand that negative attitudes stem from ignorance and should not define their confidence or participation.
The Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, represented by Director, Digital Economy Department, Helen Obi, said the initiative reflects the Commission’s commitment to a digital Nigeria where PWDs participate fully.
“Digital citizenship goes beyond operating a smartphone or computer; it encompasses the knowledge, skills and responsible behaviours required to participate safely and meaningfully online, protect personal information, recognise scams and misinformation, safeguard one’s digital identity, and understand digital rights and responsibilities,” Maida said.
In a statement by Nnenna Ukoha, Director Public Affairs Department, he noted that technology can be transformative for PWDs by removing barriers to education and employment, supporting entrepreneurship and remote work, and promoting independence through assistive tech.
“You are not merely beneficiaries; you are important participants and contributors to Nigeria’s digital economy. Your talents, ideas, businesses and aspirations have value, and technology can help take them further,” he told participants.
Maida said the objective is to build a Nigeria where disability does not determine whether an individual can obtain education, access public services, secure employment or start a business.
The Lagos training is part of a broader NCC initiative across the country’s geopolitical zones.
Maida said it builds on existing interventions like the E-Accessibility Project, which provides ICT tools and assistive technologies to institutions supporting PWDs, support for research into assistive technology including an assistive walking-stick prototype for the blind, and the fourth NCC Hackathon themed “Technology Without Barriers.”
“Digital technology should create opportunities, not new barriers. Connectivity alone would not deliver meaningful inclusion unless Nigerians also possessed the knowledge and confidence to use technology safely, responsibly and productively,” he said.
He called for stronger collaboration among government, regulators, tech companies, service providers, development partners and Organisations of Persons with Disabilities to ensure accessibility is built into digital products from design stage.
He acknowledged the Lagos State Government, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs and other stakeholders for supporting the programme.