National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has trained at least 3,143 artisans in Cross River on using new digital technologies to improve their businesses.

The artisans spoke in separate interviews in Calabar on Thursday on the sideline of their evaluation.

They said the training had impacted their businesses through improved patronage.

The training centred on how the artisans could use their devices, such as mobile phones to improve their trades.

A beneficiary and a boutique owner, Iyene Ekpo, said the training helped double her income.

“I am happy that my business has improved greatly since I put into practice what I was trained on. I was trained on how to post the goods I deal with on social media platforms,” she said.

She said that before the training, she did not know how to use her mobile phone to improve her business.

“With the application of this training, I get orders from clients within and outside Calabar,” Ms Ekpo said.

Also speaking, another trainee, Gloria Archibong, commended NITDA for the training, adding that it had equipped her to be more knowledgeable about the use of mobile devices.

“I was trained on how to send bulk SMS and create WhatsApp groups which I previously had no knowledge of. Now, effortlessly, I can send bulk SMS to my customers and also create a WhatsApp platform where I display my wares,” Ms Archibong said.

She, however, appealed for financial facilities for her to be self-reliant.

Similarly, Mary Okene, a content creator, said the training had helped her improve her business.

According to her, she was trained on how to edit pictures and videos, send emails and use WhatsApp to improve her means of livelihood.

“Today, I can say that I have made a success of it because my business has blossomed,” she said.

Kashifu Abdullahi, NITDA director-general, said the trained artisans were selected from six LGAs of Cross River.

While noting that he was happy that several of the beneficiaries had applied what they learned to improve their means of livelihood, he said more artisans would be trained.

Mr Abdullahi said the aim of the training was to achieve 70 per cent digital literacy in Nigeria by 2027 and 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030.

(NAN)