The Federal Government, through the Office of the Vice President (VP), Kashim Shettima, is set to launch digital hubs in 7 states of the federation that will empower one million youths across the country with digital and related skills.
The Director of Information, Office of the Vice President, Mr. Olusola Abiola, made the disclosure in a statement on Saturday.
Abiola said the move is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to providing more digital jobs for young Nigerians,
He disclosed that the centres, to be known as FGN/ALAT Digital and SkillNnovation Hub, would open first in Lagos and Borno States with Katsina, Cross River, Anambra, Oyo, and Kano states to follow afterwards.
According to him, the hubs will be run in partnership with a leading financial institution in Nigeria, WEMA Bank.
Abiola disclosed that the arrangement for the initiative was reached after a recent meeting between representatives of the bank and Vice President Shettima in Abuja.
Abiola explained that the program’s strategic objectives include empowering young entrepreneurs by providing them with tailored financial products, training, and support to enable them to build sustainable businesses that will support the growth of Nigeria’s economy.
“Other objectives include supporting tech-savvy youths with keen interest in digital innovations and aspire to drive technological advancements, by providing them with financial solutions, training and access to strategic partnerships; and empowering young employees to become an integral part of the workforce in Nigeria, especially those deployed through the NYSC.
“FGN/ALAT Digital and SkillNnovation Hub, positioned to serve as a centralized platform to provide cutting-edge digital skills, mentorship, and networking opportunities, is targeted at tech-savvy youths and young entrepreneurs in Nigeria.
“The focus is on promoting entrepreneurship, skills development and the integration of young employees in the workforce, particularly getting one million youths employed in the digital economy and upskilling SMEs who can directly add value to the country’s economy,” he said.
Abiola said that one million young adults would be trained in software engineering, product management, business analysis, cloud computing, and product design, using a specialized curriculum designed for the FGN/ALAT Digital and SkillNnovation Hub.
“On mentorship, 500,000 SMEs across Nigeria will be mentored by experts while coaches will train and upskill them for business growth and quantum leap. Under the scheme, grants will be provided under a collaborative arrangement between the Federal Government and WEMA Bank, setting aside N500 million to be given to SMEs and Techprenuers,” he added.
Aside from this new initiative, President Bola Tinubu recently announced that the federal government would be supporting Google, the multinational tech giant, to create one million digital jobs in Nigeria.
Tinubu gave the assurance in Abuja during the visit of Richard Gingras, vice president of news at Google, to his office.
