03 Apr 2025 Inclusive strategies deepen digital access in Nigeria

An ongoing WACC-supported project is using inclusive strategies to deepen digital access and connectivity in “last-mile”—or geographically isolated—communities in Rivers State, Nigeria.

The Community Centred Digital Access Project is working to increase digital access for marginalized groups across Nigeria by incorporating community networks that link with Nigeria’s existing National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, according to Okoro Onyekachi Emmanuel, project leader for WACC partner Media Awareness and Justice Initiative (MAJI).

Emmanuel says the project, among other goals, aims to “increase the access of digital literacy skills to disadvantaged young people living in marginalized communities.”

Co-funder for the project is the Association for Progressive Communications, a long-time WACC partner.

Building digital literacy

Over 50% of Nigeria’s population has limited or no internet access, according to Emmanuel, who says that this is due to high internet costs, disproportional market forces, and poverty.

He notes that this lack of digital access for marginalized groups continues to hinder Nigeria’s attainment of the Sustainability Development Goal 9, which looks to build resilient infrastructure and promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, while also fostering innovation.

MAJI has offered digital literacy classes for young people ages 18-40, the project leader reports. Already, 80 young people have completed training in one of four areas: environment and journalism, data analysis, graphic designs and development, and social media management and videography.

The project has also included setting up a digital literacy lab. In collaboration with identified trainers, MAJI is drawing on digital literacy models from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Academy, an e-learning platform with a large selection of training courses based on different modalities.

The classes use an interactive, participatory, and hands-on practical approach that includes audio and visual teaching aids and field visits.

“To further deepen the knowledge transfer of the digital literacy classes, MAJI has facilitated field visits to existing locations in Rivers State,” Emmanuel says. “Under the environment and journalism digital literacy class, the students visited locations impacted by oil spills and remediation sites.”

Expanding the reach

The project leader also notes that, during 2025, MAJI is working to install a new solar-powered community network and expand existing network infrastructures across two locations, integrating ways for the community to access information and raise their voices to shape policymaking.

“At the local level, MAJI is engaging closely with community groups and community-based organizations in the provision of the location for the digital hub, protection of project equipment, and awareness via local channels such as town hall meetings and community town criers,” explains Emmanuel.

Before rolling out the digital literacy classes, MAJI brought in community members via interactive sessions and a digital literacy assessment and analysis.

“Through other components of the project, we envisage engaging the general public, relevant government agencies, and social media platforms by sharing content on social media and radio talk shows, and using new sensors to collect data on local air quality,” says Emmanuel.

Members of the MAJI team hold the first of a series of digital literacy classes for young people in Rivers state, Nigeria. Photo: MAJI

WACC works in partnership with the Media Awareness and Justice Initiative and other communication rights and sustainable development organizations worldwide through its Communication for All Program (CAP), with support from Bread for the World-Germany.