The Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) in partnership with Small Businesses Training Solutions (SBTS) on Monday launched a Media Publicity Forum in Abuja to promote their activities in real time.
During the inauguration, DBI’s President, Mr. David Daser, emphasised the vital role the media plays in raising awareness about the work of both organisations.
He explained that journalists collaborating with DBI will undergo training to better understand the institute’s operations and its partnership with SBTS, ensuring accurate and effective reporting on their activities.
“It is with great pleasure and a deep sense of commitment that I welcome you to this media launch of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) and Small Business Training Solutions (SBTS) partnership.
“Today, we take a bold step towards addressing one of our nation’s most pressing priorities, youth empowerment, and job creation through digital skills development.
“This initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and the 3MTT programme of the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr. Bosun Tijani, an initiative designed to cultivate a skilled workforce that will drive Nigeria’s digital economy and establish the country as a global tech hub”, Mr Daser said.
While assuring Nigerians of transparency in carrying out the mandate of his organisation, the President urged the media to take advantage of the Media Publicity launch to see themselves as partners of the DBI and SBTS and promote every of their activities to reach the nook and crannies of nation.
“To our esteemed media stakeholders, we recognise your critical role in shaping public awareness.
“We urge you to use your platforms to spread this message far and wide, ensuring that young Nigerians are informed about this life-changing opportunity. Your support will help us reach those who need it most.
“On our own part, to build the capacity of our media friends and journalists, we shall be holding a one week free training for the members of our Labour Correspondents and the ICT Correspondents, later in the year.
“We shall liaise with your leadership at the appropriate time to finalize this, this is to show our appreciation to your supports since we commence this initiative, and assist in your career development.
“To government agencies, private sector leaders, and all stakeholders present, I invite you to join us in making digital skills training and youth empowerment a national priority.
“Together, we can build an ecosystem where innovation thrives, businesses flourish, and our youth are equipped to excel in the 21st-century economy”, he said.
The DBI mandate is to bridge the digital divide by equipping individuals with cutting-edge ICT and telecommunications skills essential for success in today’s fast-evolving digital landscape.
Over the years, according to Mr Daser, the Institute have trained thousands of professionals, students, and entrepreneurs, and remained committed to advancing digital literacy as a catalyst for economic growth.
On the Agency’s collaboration with the SBTS, a US based organisation, Mr David Daser said that the DBI recognised that greater impact requires collaboration, “that is why today’s partnership with SBTS is not just a milestone, it is a game changer.
“Together, we will provide high-quality, practical training that empowers young Nigerians to build sustainable careers, launch businesses, and become job creators rather than job seekers.
“The programme will focus on entrepreneurship, digital marketing, software development, cybersecurity, and business management, ensuring our youth are not only skilled but also competitive in the global market”.
Beyond skills training, the partnership is set to offer mentorship, access to funding opportunities, and business incubation support, ensuring a seamless transition from training to employment or entrepreneurship.
“This is the kind of initiative that will help Nigeria unlock the full potential of its youthful population”, Daser added.
He expressed his appreciation to their partners at SBTS for what he described as their unwavering commitment to skills development and enterprise growth saying that their dedication “aligns perfectly with DBI’s vision of a digitally empowered Nigeria”.
Speaking, the Chief Executive Officer SBTS, Mr Evelyn Lewis, described the partnership with the DBI as more than just a strategic alliance saying it is a bold commitment to advancing capacity building, digital education, and job creation across Nigeria and beyond.
“The world is rapidly evolving, and in today’s digital economy, the ability to adapt and equip ourselves with relevant skills determines not only individual success but national progress.
“We recognize that Africa holds immense talent, yet access to structured and scalable training programs remains a challenge. This is the gap we are here to fill”.
For Africa to get it right he said, Nigeria must take the lead in bridging the digital gap in the continent.
He said that the DBI has long been a leader in ICT and digital capacity development in Nigeria, producing highly skilled professionals who contribute significantly to various industries.
“SBTS Group, on the other hand, has spent over two decades building world-class solutions in education, technology, and business process outsourcing across multiple continents.
“Together, we are leveraging our combined expertise to create an innovative, scalable, and sustainable model that Provides globally competitive training programs that are not only theoretical but hands-on and industry-driven.
“Bridges the skills gap by aligning learning outcomes with employer needs, ensuring graduates are job-ready.
“Creates real job opportunities by linking trained professionals with employment pipelines, including internships, outsourcing engagements, and entrepreneurship support.
“Expands access to digital learning through modern platforms, distance learning, and micro-credentials, ensuring that education is not confined to physical classrooms but extends to every willing learner, no matter where they are”, the SBTS Chief said.
He urged on the media to support in amplifying the “The impact of this initiative, ensuring that Nigerians and the world at large understand the opportunities that lies ahead”.
Mr Lewis also stressed that the partnership with DBI is not just about skills development but rather about economic empowerment, digital inclusion, and Africa’s competitiveness in the global economy.
Welcoming participants, the Head, Public Affairs Unit DBI, Mr Akin Ogunlade, said that the Media Publicity launch was to further create a platform for ease of during business with the SBTS through the media as a catalyst for deeper awareness creation of the activities, goals and successes of the two partners.
He said that at DBI, the mandate has always been to provide top-tier ICT and Telecom training, equipping individuals with the skills required to thrive in the digital age.
“Over the years, we have remained committed to bridging the knowledge gap, ensuring that the youth of our nation are not left behind in the ever-evolving technological landscape.
“As we embark on this journey, I urge all stakeholders, government agencies, private sector leaders, and the media to support, promote, and advocate for digital skills training as a key driver of national development, Mr Ogunlade added.
To ensure that no Nigerian or region is left behind, the DBI said it has established branches of its training Institute in all the geo-political zones of Nigeria.
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