By Stella Odueme
Federal Government has collaborated with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to implement a nationwide initiative to provide digital literacy training to over 30 million Nigerian youth.
This was disclosed by the Minister, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, during an interview with newsmen in Abuja to commemorate this year’s International World Youth Day. Represented by Prince Momoh Olugbenga, the Director for Enterprise Development and Promotion in the ministry, the minister stated that the groundbreaking program seeks to equip Citizens with the essential skills to thrive in an increasingly digital world, adding that through this partnership,the government has demonstrated it’s commitment to empowering young people with the knowledge and expertise needed to fully participate in the digital economy.
A statement by Omolara Esan, the Director of Information & Public Relations on Monday said that Dr. Ibrahim also mentioned that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has established a volunteer community of corps members called Digital Onboarders through an ongoing partnership with Mind The Gap Nigeria.
She explained that the community is dedicated to enhancing youth productivity through the development of digital skills.
“President Bola Tinubu is well aware that the world is increasingly relying on the digital economy. Hence, he specifically dedicates a ministry to coordinating the efforts of government in this regard. On our part, the Ministry of Youth Development has continued to explore partnership and cooperation that connect as many youth as possible to the learning opportunities that would advance the skills necessary for success in the digital economy.
“We grapple with the challenge of youth unemployment. I am aware that an estimated 75 per cent of job seekers would stand a greater chance of securing employment within our evolving Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector.
“However, it is sad to note that the MSMEs have also been experiencing a downward decline in their survival rate due largely to lack of relevant skills to tap into the emerging opportunities that the unfolding digital economy presents,” she stated.
Jamila emphasized that the ministry has recognized the challenge and has taken the initiative to start the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) as a platform to teach the relevant skills that would propel the active participation of youth in salvaging businesses and partaking in the abundant opportunities in the country’s Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) market.
The theme of this annual event is:”From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for sustainable Development.
