NCC Trains Over 100 Persons with Disabilities in Lagos on Digital Skills, Cybersecurity

 NCC Trains Over 100 Persons with Disabilities in Lagos on Digital Skills, Cybersecurity

The 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 inclusive participation in Nigeria’s digital economy.

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

According to a statement signed by Nnenna Ukoha, Director, Public Affairs Department, NCC, on September 18, 2026, the programme equipped participants with practical knowledge covering digital foundations, internet and digital communication, cybersecurity, data protection, assistive technologies and responsible participation in the digital space.

Beyond learning how to use digital tools, the training also focused on helping participants understand how to protect themselves online, safeguard personal information and participate more confidently in an increasingly digital society.

Participants were trained to identify online scams, including fake giveaways, avoid sharing sensitive information with unknown persons and adopt safer digital practices.

The programme also introduced participants to accessibility features such as speech-to-text tools, which can make the use of mobile devices easier and promote greater independence for Persons with Disabilities.

The training further addressed some of the social challenges confronting PWDs, including discrimination, while encouraging participants not to allow negative societal attitudes or misconceptions about disability to undermine their confidence, abilities and participation in society.

Speaking at the programme, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, said the initiative reflected the Commission’s commitment to building a digital Nigeria where Persons with Disabilities could participate fully and meaningfully in the digital economy.

Maida, who was represented by the Director, Digital Economy Department, Helen Obi, said digital inclusion must extend beyond providing access to internet connectivity.

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

He said technology could be particularly transformative for Persons with Disabilities by reducing barriers to education and employment, supporting entrepreneurship and remote work, improving access to information and public services, and promoting independence through assistive technologies.

The NCC chief executive said the Commission’s broader objective was to create an environment where disability would not determine whether an individual could obtain education, access public services, secure employment, establish a business or contribute productively to society.

“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,” Maida told the participants.

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

Maida said the programme builds on existing NCC interventions designed to expand digital access and inclusion, including the Commission’s E-Accessibility Project, which provides ICT tools and assistive technologies to institutions supporting Persons with Disabilities.

He also highlighted the Commission’s support for research and innovation in assistive technology, including the development of an assistive walking-stick prototype for blind and visually impaired persons.

The NCC’s fourth Hackathon, themed “Technology Without Barriers,” was also cited as part of the Commission’s efforts to encourage innovators to develop technology solutions that promote accessibility and inclusion.

Maida stressed that connectivity alone would not guarantee meaningful digital inclusion unless citizens also had the knowledge, skills and confidence to use technology safely, responsibly and productively.

“The NCC remains committed to promoting connectivity, digital skills, accessibility, online safety and meaningful participation, with the goal of building a digital Nigeria where Persons with Disabilities can learn, work, do business, communicate and access services with dignity and confidence,” he said.

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 from the outset in the design and deployment of digital products and services.

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

For the more than 100 participants trained in Lagos, the programme translated the broader concept of digital inclusion into practical skills, ranging from protecting personal information and identifying potential online scams to using assistive technologies and navigating the digital environment with greater confidence and independence.