NCC trains over 100 PWDs in Lagos on cybersecurity, digital skills

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 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 covered digital foundations, internet and digital communication, cybersecurity, data protection, assistive technologies and responsible participation in the digital environment.

Beyond learning how to use digital devices, participants were equipped with practical knowledge on protecting personal information, identifying online scams and avoiding the disclosure of sensitive details to strangers.

The training also introduced participants to accessibility features, including speech-to-text tools, designed to make mobile devices and other digital technologies easier to use independently.

Speaking at the programme, NCC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Aminu Maida, said digital inclusion must extend beyond internet connectivity to ensure that Persons with Disabilities possess the skills and confidence required to participate meaningfully in the digital economy.

Maida, who was represented by the Director of the NCC Digital Economy Department, Helen Obi, said digital citizenship encompasses the knowledge, skills and responsible behaviours needed to participate safely online.

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“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,” he said.

According to Maida, technology can help remove barriers confronting Persons with Disabilities in education, employment, entrepreneurship and access to public services.

He said assistive technologies and digital platforms could also support remote work, improve access to information and promote greater independence.

“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 the participants.

The Lagos training is part of a wider NCC initiative aimed at developing digital skills among Persons with Disabilities across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.

Maida said the programme complements existing NCC interventions, including the Commission’s E-Accessibility Project, which provides ICT devices and assistive technologies to institutions supporting Persons with Disabilities.

He also cited NCC-supported research into assistive technologies, including an assistive walking-stick prototype for blind and visually impaired persons, as well as the Commission’s fourth Hackathon themed “Technology Without Barriers.”

The NCC chief stressed that connectivity alone would not guarantee meaningful digital inclusion without the knowledge and confidence to use technology safely and productively.

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

Maida also acknowledged the contributions of the Lagos State Government, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs and other stakeholders to the programme.

For the participants, the training provided practical skills for navigating an increasingly digital society, from protecting personal information and identifying scams to using assistive technologies and accessing online services with greater confidence and independence.