3 million Nigerians to Benefit from Digital Skills Programme

Over three million Nigerians are to benefit from a special digital skills programme to be floated by the Nigerian government in collaboration with WEMA Bank Plc.

The initiative, code named ‘Skillnovation Programme’ will provide beneficiaries with the essential skills required to succeed in the global economy.

This is in a bid to support the information technology revolution that would in turn, extend the reach of economic and social interactions as well as enhance productivity growth in Nigeria.

Read Also: Two Million Nigerian Youths To Acquire Digital Skills

Speaking on Friday during the launch of the programme at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima, described the Skillnovation as a “transformative initiative” that usher in a new era of digital empowerment for Nigerians.

He said, “We are compelled to tread this path by the direction in which the world has headed a world of disruptive technologies redefined by the fourth Industrial Revolution.

“This initiative is a response to the evolution of the modern business environment, an acknowledgment that digital skills have become the cornerstone of economic ease and expansion.”

The Vice President hinted that the gathering is one of the many to come and an occasion to reassure the nation that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fully committed to supporting small businesses across Nigeria.

The Skillnovation Programme will establish 15 state-of-the-art ICT centers, strategically placed across Nigeria, to provide individuals and businesses with access to cutting-edge digital training, resources and support.

First Phase

The first phase of the programme will focus on the States of Katsina, Anambra, Borno, Lagos, Oyo, and Kano, while the second phase will include Delta, Kaduna, Ogun, Bauchi, Kwara, and Ekiti States.

Giving an insight into how the country would benefit from the programme, the Vice President said, “Nigeria, with its expanding MSME sector of close to 40 million, has the potential to lead business innovation beyond Africa. The Skillnovation Programme, therefore, aims to unlock this immense potential. The initiative is designed to provide the necessary tools and skills for our MSMEs to thrive and compete on the global stage.

“As you have witnessed, ladies and gentlemen, the Skillnovation Programme is not a mere promise; it is a resounding commitment to the Nigerian people,” the Vice President added. “It’s in pursuit of this administration’s resolve to empower our youth and MSMEs and to create a more inclusive and prosperous Nigeria. Today, we are translating that commitment into action, and we intend to be your allies in your race to take over the world through your enhanced skills.”

VP Shetimma also assured that nobody will be left out of the Skillnovation Programme, regardless of age, gender, or disability.

“There will be no disadvantaged demographic in accessing this opportunity. Our youth, women, and persons with disabilities have found friends and allies and will be favored in our proposed single-digit loan schemes for our valued MSMEs, for which talks are already ongoing with the Bank of Industry and other critical stakeholders and partners,” he stated.

The Skillnovation Programme is a significant step towards achieving Government’s vision of a digitally empowered and economically prosperous Nigeria.

By providing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with the essential digital skills and support they need to succeed, the programme will help to create jobs, boost economic growth, and improve the lives of millions of Nigerians.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs, Mr. Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, emphasized the significance of partnership, noting that the government alone cannot address the challenges confronting Nigerians.

On his part, Managing Director of Wema Bank, Mr. Moruf Oseni, commended the passion of the President and Vice President for empowering young Nigerians, even as he announced the establishment of skills training centers across 17 states, beginning with Lagos and Borno States.

He said the programme will directly impact 2 million youths and 1 million small businesses across the benefitting States.

In his goodwill message, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr. Bosun Tijjani, said the current administration will leverage the enthusiasm of youths in the technology space to launch Nigeria as a global power in the sector.