- Targets 1 million youths, 500,000 MSMEs with grants, digital training
As part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to enhancing digital employment opportunities for the youth of Nigeria, the Federal Government, in partnership with the Office of the Vice President, is preparing to launch a transformative initiative. This initiative aims to empower one million young Nigerians across the nation with essential digital skills and related expertise.
Known as the FGN/ALAT Digital and SkillNnovation Hub, the first centers will be established in Lagos and Borno States, followed by additional centers in Katsina, Cross River, Anambra, Oyo, and Kano. WEMA Bank, a leading financial institution in Nigeria, will be collaborating with the government to run these hubs, making the venture more comprehensive and impactful.
The decision to establish the FGN/ALAT Digital and SkillNnovation Hub came after a constructive meeting between representatives from WEMA Bank and Vice President Sen. Kashim Shettima in Abuja.
The primary strategic goals of this program are multifold. Firstly, it aims to empower young entrepreneurs by offering them tailored financial products, training, and support to establish sustainable businesses that contribute to the growth of Nigeria’s economy. Additionally, the initiative seeks to support tech-savvy youths with a keen interest in digital innovations and those aspiring to drive technological advancements, providing them with financial solutions, training, and access to strategic partnerships.
Another crucial objective is to empower young employees, particularly those deployed through the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), to become integral parts of Nigeria’s workforce. The FGN/ALAT Digital and SkillNnovation Hub will serve as a centralized platform, offering cutting-edge digital skills, mentorship, and networking opportunities to tech-savvy youths and young entrepreneurs throughout the country.
The main focus of the program is to promote entrepreneurship, skills development, and the integration of young employees into the workforce. The ultimate goal is to facilitate one million job opportunities in the digital economy and upskill Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to contribute directly to the nation’s economic growth.
To achieve these objectives, the initiative will provide training to one million young adults in various fields, including software engineering, product management, business analysis, cloud computing, and product design. The specialized curriculum designed for the FGN/ALAT Digital and SkillNnovation Hub will ensure that participants receive comprehensive and relevant training.
The initiative will offer mentorship to 500,000 SMEs across Nigeria. Expert mentors and coaches will guide and upskill these SMEs, enabling them to experience significant business growth and achieve new levels of success.
In terms of financial support, the scheme will provide grants through a collaborative effort between the Federal Government and WEMA Bank. A substantial amount of N500 million has been allocated to support SMEs and techpreneurs, facilitating their growth and development in the digital economy.
Overall, the FGN/ALAT Digital and SkillNnovation Hub represents a transformative initiative that aims to create a prosperous digital economy in Nigeria by empowering the youth with essential skills, fostering entrepreneurship, and supporting the growth of SMEs to bolster the nation’s economy.
