Nigeria, U.S Firm Partnership to Enhance Youths Digital Skills

The Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) and SBTS Group LLC, a US-based company, have forged a revolutionary alliance to provide Nigerian youngsters the digital skills they need to compete globally.

Akin Ogunlade, the DBI’s Head of Public Affairs, revealed this in a statement released in Abuja on Friday.

The goal is to generate thousands of employment possibilities inside and outside Nigeria.

PRESS RELEASE

Job creation: DBI Partners US-based SBTS Group to Equip Nigerian Youth with Digital Skills

In a move to create thousands of job opportunities within and outside Nigeria, the Digital Bridge Institute has entered into a transformative partnership with a United… pic.twitter.com/fE6mpoMRdV

— Digital Bridge Institute(DBI) (@DBI_Education) January 20, 2025

According to Ogunlade, the DBI and SBTS relationship was primarily created to solve the country’s digital gap and lack of digital literacy while also promoting job development.

He said that the collaboration would leverage SBTS group’s Intelligent Capacity Building Model (ICBM), and DBI’s reputation as Nigeria’s premier ICT capacity-building institute, It is also a significant step for Nigeria’s digital future.

“It will provide training, infrastructure upgrades, and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) hubs across DBI campuses.

“These initiatives will empower millions of Nigerians with globally competitive hands-on skills and enhance the country’s participation in the global digital economy,” he said.

According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which he cited, by 2030, more than 230 million jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa will need digital skills, generating about 650 million training opportunities.

 “This summarises the importance of this initiative and the urgency required to bridging Africa’s digital skills gap.

“The partnership will focus on skill development and employment, which will involve training of thousands of Nigerians in advanced digital and technical skills; providing job placements locally and internationally for trained individuals.

“It will develop a robust pipeline of skilled professionals to bridge Nigeria’s digital skills gap,” Ogunlade said.

With the opening of BPO hubs and tech resource centres in Lagos, Enugu, Kano, and other DBI campuses, he added, it would also prioritise resource centres and infrastructure improvements.

According to DBI President Mr Daser David, the collaboration would increase Nigeria’s position in the global outsourcing market by generating high-value job opportunities, it will also give the trainees a campus-based educational experience.

According to David, the program was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places a high priority on job creation, socioeconomic reform, and the development of human capital.

According to him, the efforts will accelerate the renewed hope agenda.

He said the partnership would support the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative of the Ministry of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, to position Nigeria as a leading exporter of digital talent.

“Our partnership with SBTS aligns with our mission to foster digital skills and transform lives.

“By integrating Nigeria’s youth population into the global technological workforce, we are laying the foundation for a thriving digital economy.

“As Africa’s largest economy with a burgeoning youth population, Nigeria is positioned to take a leading role in this digital transformation of the continent.

“Africa’s digital skills gap is a barrier to growth. By collaborating with SBTS, we aim to close this gap, create jobs, and accelerate technology adoption, boosting productivity across sectors,” he said.

Evelyn Lewis, the CEO of SBTS Group, also underlined the importance of cooperation in bringing Nigeria to the world’s digital arena so that millions of young people can benefit from it.

NAN