In a bid to enhance digital employment opportunities for Nigerian youth, the Federal Government, through the office of the Vice President, is set to launch digital hubs that will equip 1 million young Nigerians across the nation with vital digital skills.
This initiative, known as the FGN/ALAT Digital and SkillNnovation Hub, will be established in Lagos and Borno States initially, followed by Katsina, Cross River, Anambra, Oyo, and Kano. WEMA Bank, a leading financial institution in Nigeria, will partner with the government to operate these hubs.
The decision to collaborate on this groundbreaking project was made during a recent meeting in Abuja between representatives of WEMA Bank and Vice President Kashim S.
The program aims to achieve several strategic objectives, including providing tailored financial solutions, training, and support to empower young entrepreneurs in building sustainable businesses that contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth.
Furthermore, the initiative seeks to support tech-savvy youths interested in driving digital innovations by offering them financial solutions, training, and access to strategic partnerships.
It also aims to empower young workers, especially National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) participants, by integrating them into the workforce.
The FGN/ALAT Digital and SkillNnovation Hub will serve as a centralized platform offering cutting-edge digital skills, mentorship, and networking opportunities for tech-savvy youths and young entrepreneurs across Nigeria.
Its key focus is to promote entrepreneurship, skills development, and the inclusion of young employees in the workforce, with the objective of facilitating the employment of 1 million youths in the digital economy and upskilling SMEs to contribute directly to the national economy.
Through this initiative, 1 million young adults will undergo specialized training in software engineering, product management, business analysis, cloud computing, and product design following a tailored curriculum designed specifically for the FGN/ALAT Digital and SkillNnovation Hub.
Moreover, experts will provide mentorship to 500,000 SMEs nationwide, while coaches will deliver training programs to enhance their business growth and development.
To facilitate the implementation of this program, the Federal Government, in collaboration with WEMA Bank, has set aside a significant sum of N500 million to provide grants to SMEs and techpreneurs.
This initiative represents a significant step towards harnessing the potential of Nigerian youth in the digital sphere and fostering economic growth through skills development and entrepreneurship.