Nigeria launches digital skills initiative
ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Nigerian government has partnered with ALAT, the country’s first fully digital bank, to launch Skillnovation, an initiative to equip over 3 million Nigerians with essential digital skills.
The program was unveiled in Abuja by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who described it as a “transformative initiative” that will provide citizens with the tools needed to succeed in the digital economy.
“This initiative is a response to the evolution of the modern business environment, an acknowledgment that digital skills have become the cornerstone of economic ease and expansion,” Shettima said.
Skillnovation will establish 15 high-tech ICT centers across Nigeria to provide access to cutting-edge digital training and resources. The first phase will target six states: Katsina, Anambra, Borno, Lagos, Oyo, and Kano.
ALAT, which has offered full mobile banking services since 2016, expects to directly impact 2 million youth and 1 million small businesses through Skillnovation.
The program has received support from partners like Wema Bank, which plans to open skills training centers in 17 states, and the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, who emphasized the need for public-private collaboration on digital skills development.
Skillnovation aligns with the government’s goal of digitally empowering citizens and driving inclusive economic growth, according to Shettima. He said the program will unlock the immense potential of Nigeria’s MSME sector and equip businesses to compete globally.
