In a groundbreaking move to bridge the digital skills gap and create employment opportunities, the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) and Small Business Training Solutions (SBTS) have launched a transformative partnership aimed at empowering Nigerian youth.
The media launch, held at the DBI headquarters in Abuja, underscored the urgent need to equip young Nigerians with practical digital skills that will position them as job creators rather than job seekers.
President/CEO of DBI, David Daser, emphasized that the initiative aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the 3MTT program of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani. He noted that the partnership is a strategic response to the growing demand for skilled digital professionals capable of driving Nigeria’s digital economy forward.
“For years, DBI has been at the forefront of ICT and telecommunications training, producing skilled professionals across industries. But we recognize that greater impact requires collaboration. This partnership with SBTS is not just a milestone—it is a game changer,” Daser stated. He reaffirmed DBI’s commitment to providing high-quality training in digital marketing, software development, cybersecurity, and business management, ensuring that Nigerian youth remain competitive in the global market.
Beyond technical skills, the initiative will incorporate mentorship, access to funding, and business incubation support, offering a holistic approach to job creation. Daser called on stakeholders, including government agencies and private sector leaders, to support the initiative and make 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 urged.
SBTS CEO, Evelyn Lewis, described the partnership as a bold commitment to capacity building, digital education, and job creation. He noted that despite Africa’s vast talent pool, access to structured and scalable training programs remains a challenge. “This is the gap we are here to fill,” he declared.
Lewis highlighted that SBTS, with over two decades of expertise in education, technology, and business process outsourcing, brings a global perspective to the initiative. He stressed that the partnership would create globally competitive training programs that are practical, hands-on, and industry-driven. This, he said, would ensure that graduates transition seamlessly into employment or entrepreneurship.
A key feature of the initiative is the Intelligent Capacity Building Model (ICBM), pioneered by SBTS. Lewis explained that ICBM goes beyond traditional training by integrating financial support, mentorship, job placement, and continuous professional development. Through this approach, the DBI-SBTS collaboration aims to generate 100,000 new digital jobs across Africa within the next five years.
“Education must not be confined to physical classrooms. Through modern learning platforms, distance learning, and micro-credentials, we will ensure that every willing learner, no matter where they are, can access quality digital education,” Lewis affirmed.
The initiative comes at a time when Nigeria’s youth unemployment rate remains a pressing concern. Experts have long advocated for a shift from conventional education to skills-based learning that meets industry demands. The DBI-SBTS collaboration presents a solution by aligning training with employer needs, linking participants to job opportunities, and supporting startups with necessary resources.
With the backing of government agencies and the private sector, the initiative has the potential to catalyse economic transformation by equipping Nigeria’s youthful population with the tools needed to thrive in the digital space. Media professionals at the launch were urged to amplify the initiative’s impact, ensuring that young Nigerians are aware of the life-changing opportunities ahead.
The programme is also expected to enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global digital economy by producing a workforce skilled in emerging technologies. As digital innovation continues to reshape industries worldwide, initiatives like this provide a pathway for Nigeria to position itself as a leader in the global tech ecosystem.
Beyond job creation, the partnership aims to foster an entrepreneurial culture where trained individuals can establish their own businesses and, in turn, create employment opportunities for others. This aligns with the broader goal of achieving economic self-sufficiency and reducing dependency on traditional employment sectors.
The DBI-SBTS partnership is more than an educational collaboration; it is a movement to empower a generation with the skills and opportunities necessary to drive Africa’s digital future. As Daser and Lewis emphasized, this initiative is not just about training—it is about transforming lives, unlocking potential, and shaping the future of Nigeria’s digital economy.
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