The Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) has entered into a partnership with SBTS Group LLC, a U.S.-based firm, to equip Nigerian youths with digital skills necessary for global competitiveness.
The announcement, made on Friday by DBI’s Head of Public Affairs, Akin Ogunlade, highlighted the initiative’s potential to create thousands of job opportunities both within Nigeria and abroad.
This partnership is designed to tackle Nigeria’s digital divide and the country’s digital literacy deficit, which are major barriers to job creation and economic development.
Akin Ogunlade emphasized that the collaboration would leverage SBTS Group’s Intelligent Capacity Building Model (ICBM) and DBI’s reputation as Nigeria’s premier ICT capacity-building institution.
The partnership will focus on hands-on training, infrastructure upgrades, and the establishment of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) hubs across DBI campuses.
“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,” Ogunlade said.
Addressing Africa’s digital skills gap
The partnership is also supported by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which projects that by 2030, over 230 million jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills, creating nearly 650 million training opportunities.
Ogunlade stressed the urgency of addressing Africa’s digital skills gap and highlighted the importance of this partnership in meeting that challenge.
“This summarises the importance of this initiative and the urgency required to bridge Africa’s digital skills gap,” Ogunlade stated.
The initiative will focus on developing advanced digital and technical skills in thousands of Nigerians, followed by job placements both locally and internationally. It aims to create a sustainable pipeline of skilled professionals to address Nigeria’s digital skills gap.
Campus upgrades and expansion
The DBI-SBTS collaboration will include infrastructure upgrades, with renovations already underway at DBI campuses in Enugu and Kano, with plans for nationwide expansion. These upgrades will provide state-of-the-art facilities for advanced training programs.
“Renovation and upgrades have already commenced at DBI campuses, beginning with Enugu and Kano, with plans to extend nationwide,” David said.
The partnership will also implement the ICBM framework, supporting the establishment of BPO centres and fostering an ecosystem for innovation and growth
Mr. Daser David, President of DBI emphasized that the partnership would also contribute to Nigeria’s position in the global outsourcing market.
“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,” David remarked.
The partnership will offer a campus-learning experience for trainees and is expected to position Nigeria as a global hub for skilled digital professionals. This initiative will drive technology adoption across sectors, foster innovation, and attract investments.
What you should know
Under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, several initiatives have been launched to equip Nigerian youths with digital skills
- In August 2024, President Tinubu pledged to empower 30 million Nigerians with digital literacy by 2027. This initiative aims to enhance digital skills across the nation, preparing a significant portion of the population for the digital economy.
- The administration introduced the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program, aiming to train three million youths in digital technology and essential skills. This initiative is designed to create job opportunities and boost the economy by preparing a skilled workforce for innovation-driven industries.
- Under the Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI) the government plans to train approximately 40,000 Nigerians in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and digital skills.
