The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and TikTok have launched a joint programme in Lagos aimed at equipping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria with digital commerce skills to improve their competitiveness in the digital economy.
The initiative is designed to help entrepreneurs better use digital platforms to market their products, engage customers, and expand sales beyond physical and geographical limits.
NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said on Friday, June 19, 2026, that digital skills have become essential for business survival in a fast-changing economy driven by technology.
He was represented at the event by the Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, Dr. Aristotle Onumo.
Abdullahi said that while Nigeria has a large number of entrepreneurs, many small businesses still lack the practical skills needed to fully benefit from digital platforms.
He noted that digital tools now allow businesses to reach wider audiences, build stronger brands, and operate beyond traditional market boundaries.
According to a statement by NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications, Hajiya Hadiza Umar, TikTok will provide about $20,000 to support a pilot Train-the-Trainer programme under the partnership.
She explained that the approach will ensure trained participants transfer knowledge to other entrepreneurs, widening the reach of digital skills training across communities.
The programme will be implemented through NITDA’s Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) network, with a focus on entrepreneurs in underserved and rural areas.
Abdullahi said the collaboration aligns with NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), which prioritises digital literacy, innovation, and entrepreneurship development.
