Lagos state launches Eko Digital Skills 2024 for 5,000 youths – APPLY NOW!

Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwolu, has launched a digital skills program for the state-owned tertiary institution’s recent graduate students.

The program is intended to assist not only students but also recent graduates, prospective business owners, and vocational craftspeople.

As part of the government’s continuous efforts to give young people the essential skills required for the modern workforce, it will formally begin on December 2, 2024.

Commissioner for Tertiary Education Hon. Tolani Sule emphasized the program’s long-term objectives, which include providing more than 5,000 young people in Lagos with critical digital skills by 2030.

SEE ALSO: OPay teams up with UI to offer students 10-year scholarship program

By 2030, the Eko Digital Skills Initiative 2024 aims to provide more than 5,000 youth in the state with the necessary digital skills, increasing their employability and enabling them to take advantage of new opportunities, according to Sule.

With a focus on hands-on training in critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving, the program aims to provide young people with the fundamental digital and entrepreneurial skills they need.

Related stories  

• 10 facts to know as a Nigerian about President Tinubu’s tax reform bills
• TKM Foundation Fully-Funded University Scholarship For Nigerians [2024/2025 ]
• Nestlé Scholarships 2025 for Science and Technology Students (Secondary and Tertiary)

Bridging the gap between education and the workplace

Sule emphasized the program’s significance in bridging the gap between conventional academic curriculum and the changing needs of the workforce.

“We’re determined to keep all state-owned institutions operating at a high standard.

• This program demonstrates the government’s commitment to promoting community empowerment and skill development, which will ultimately support the state’s economic expansion and advancement,” Sule continued.
• Training that blends the hard and soft skills required for success in the modern digital economy will be provided by the program.
• The program will build on the achievements of the Job Initiative Lagos, which aims to provide digital literacy and entrepreneurship skills to students in tertiary institutions located in Lagos.
• The goal of this new program is to increase digital inclusion throughout the state and give citizens the resources they need to succeed in the labor market of the twenty-first century.

Trends of unemployment

You should be aware that in the first quarter of 2024, Nigeria’s unemployment rate increased to 5.3%. Even if it has slightly decreased, the youth unemployment rate of 8.4% is still quite high.

Prof. Adewale Obadare, the founder and CEO of Digital Encode, has cautioned that the lack of qualified cybersecurity specialists in Nigeria could impede the country’s expanding digital economy.

Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan African nations are experiencing a severe lack of digital competencies due to the fast-changing digital world. This could make it more difficult for them to satisfy the rising demand for these skills, which is predicted to increase by 2030.

 

In his interview with Nairametrics, Mr. Shehu Zubairu, Senior Learning and Development Manager, emphasized that inadequate training and development, especially in the digital and entrepreneurial sectors, is a significant contributing factor to the skills gap.

 

To be competitive, job applicants must continue to strengthen their skills and abilities, according to Zubairu.

This demonstrates the pressing need for programs that might close the skills gap and enhance young people’s employment opportunities.