FG mobilises 50,000 youths for digital skills training

Politics Spice Special Features Education Sex & Relationship Interview Columns Opinion Advertise with us FG mobilises 50,000 youths for digital skills training Business & Economy November 12, 2026 12:05 am Bank of Industry CEO, Olasupo Olusi

The Federal Government has mobilised and selected 50,000 young Nigerians in the South-West for digital skills training under its Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises programme, as the country seeks to expand its technology workforce and improve youth employment prospects.

The training, scheduled to begin on 18 November, will equip participants with practical skills in digital services, creative industries and business process outsourcing, according to a statement on Wednesday.

The mobilisation across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states represents part of a broader target to reach 300,000 young Nigerians through the iDICE Skills Training-to-Jobs initiative.

The programme connects skills development with employment opportunities in Nigeria and international markets, including remote work, business process outsourcing, and digital services.

Participants will receive training in customer experience, data entry, virtual assistance, digital marketing, graphic design, and technical support.

The initiative is implemented through the Bank of Industry and financed in partnership with the African Development Bank Group, the Islamic Development Bank and Agence Française de Développement.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Industry, Dr Olasupo Olusi, said the programme was intended to address the gap between workforce skills and the requirements of businesses.

“Building a competitive economy requires equipping our youth with skills that respond to real market needs,” Olusi stated.

He identified opportunities in fintech, e-commerce, software development, film, music, fashion, animation and digital content production as areas where trained participants could contribute to the economy.

The South-West component is being delivered through a partnership between Ethica Resolve CC and Premier Hub, which are responsible for training delivery, field coordination, certification and engagement with prospective employers.

Founder of Ethica Resolve CC, George Badejo-Adegbenga, said the initiative would focus on preparing participants for workplace requirements rather than limiting training to technical instruction.

He disclosed that the programme would align participants’ skills with the needs of businesses in Nigeria, the United Kingdom, the United States and other international markets, particularly in business process outsourcing and digital services.

Chief Executive Officer of Premier Hub, Ibukun Obe, said training hubs and field teams had been established across the six states to support participants and facilitate programme delivery.

The initiative comes as Nigeria seeks to expand its digital economy and equip more young people with skills relevant to an increasingly technology-driven labour market.

However, the programme’s employment impact will depend partly on whether participants can translate their training and certifications into jobs and sustainable income opportunities.

The organisers said completing the training would not automatically guarantee employment, although the initiative was designed to improve participants’ competencies, workplace readiness and access to potential opportunities.

The wider iDICE programme seeks to support Nigeria’s technology and creative industries through enterprise development, access to finance, skills acquisition and ecosystem development.

Justice has over three years experience spanning digital and print media. At The PUNCH, he currently covers the automobile sector with special interest in features and industry analysis.

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