The Federal Ministry of Education, in partnership with the World Bank, has trained and certified 400 Nigerian youths in Geographic Information System (GIS), drone technology, and 3D design/printing.
The free digital skills training programme, executed under the Innovation Grant Facility (IGF) of the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) Project, aimed to improve skills acquisition in Nigeria and was recently concluded in Abuja.
The training programme, jointly facilitated by Cizoti Nigeria Ltd and Odyssey Educational Foundation, targeted unemployed youths, young women, and marginalized groups.
With a total of 240 females and 160 males, the comprehensive six-month programme encompassed intensive training, certification exams, internships, and mentorship, and culminated in a graduation and business pitching event.
The event featured a keynote speech titled ‘The Future of Technology in Shaping Entrepreneurship’ delivered by digital health expert, Dr. Emeka Chukwu.
Mrs. Edidiong Amos, CEO of Cizoti Nigeria Limited and Project Lead of the programme, emphasised that the programme’s goal was to equip Nigerian youths with essential skills for digital entrepreneurship, employability, and innovation.
“To achieve this, participants were trained for free, awarded industry certifications as proof of their newly acquired skills, and were also given internship and mentorship opportunities to enhance their employment prospects,” Amos stated.
Amos further said that the business pitching session showcased innovative solutions and entrepreneurial ideas developed by the trainees as they presented projects aimed at solving real-world challenges and seizing market opportunities in various sectors.
The CEO of Odyssey Educational Foundation (OEF) and Project Partner of the programme, Engr. Stella Uzochukwu-Denis, stated that OEF played a key role in training the youths on 3D design and printing.
“Odyssey’s contribution focused on equipping the participants with practical skills in 3D technology, fostering innovation, and preparing them for future opportunities in tech-driven industries,” Uzochukwu-Denis said.
The panel session, ‘The Future of Digital Skills in Business,’ featured Dr. Felix Buba, Head, Academic Programmes, UN-ARCSSTEE; Mr. Ossai Ilome, President, Labour Business School; Mr. Kel Armstrong Amobi, CEO, KaaTruths Group; Ms. Michelle Uba, Business Development Manager; and Engr. Hamilton Emmanuel, Hardware and IoT Engineer.
The panellists discussed in detail the demand for specialised digital skills, noting how organisations leverage digital skills to innovate, improve efficiency, and stay competitive. They also provided insights into digital skills for remote work, the gig economy, and freelancing.
The programme concluded with an awards and recognition ceremony, where organisers offered words of encouragement to the participants.
As a parting gift and guide for their future endeavours, the beneficiaries of the programme received a copy of the book ‘Becoming Creative and Innovative’ by Konsik Kim and Ossai Ilome.
At the event, Rear Admiral Kehinde Odubanjo represented the Chief of Defence Space Administration.
Representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education included Mrs. Blessing Ugwu, Professor Ndem Ayara, Mr. Pius Odaba and Mrs. Anna Madziga.
The World Bank was represented by Dr. Mistura Rufai, Mr. Gerard Peart, and Ms. Naimah Mohammed.
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