The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has identified high device and connectivity costs, inaccessible digital products and inadequate digital skills as major barriers limiting the participation of persons with disabilities in Nigeria’s digital economy. The commission also raised concerns about the limited involvement of persons with disabilities in the design and development of technology, warning that digital transformation could create new barriers if accessibility and inclusion are not deliberately built into technological development.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, stated this on Wednesday in Lagos at the opening of a digital citizenship training programme for persons with disabilities organised by the commission. Represented by the Director of Digital Economy, Mrs Helen Obi, Maida said digital inclusion must go beyond providing internet access to include affordable and appropriate devices, reliable broadband services, accessible digital platforms, relevant skills and secure digital systems.
He said removing the identified barriers would enable persons with disabilities to benefit more fully from opportunities in education, employment, entrepreneurship, public services and access to information. Maida said the NCC had implemented several initiatives through its Universal Service Provision Fund, including School Knowledge Centres, Information Resource Centres, University Connectivity Initiatives and e Health projects, while its e Accessibility Project had provided information and communication technology tools and assistive technologies to institutions supporting persons with disabilities.
The NCC boss also highlighted the commission’s efforts to encourage locally developed solutions through its Professorial Chair Initiative and the fourth NCC Hackathon, themed “Technology Without Barriers.” He said the commission would continue to support innovations that address the needs of persons with disabilities, noting that affordable devices and accessible technology were essential to closing Nigeria’s digital inclusion gap. The position comes amid growing calls for stronger local smartphone production as a means of reducing device costs and expanding access to the digital economy.