The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Education has flagged off the CyberSchool Africa digital skills training program which will hone the skills of youths in Nigeria and reduce unemployment in the country.

National Project Coordinator of the IDEAS project, Federal Ministry of Education ,Mrs Blessing Ogwu said this at the sidelines of a flagship program on digital skills for the informal sector organised by the Gallery of CODE in Abuja 

Mr Aleshe Ademuyiwa ,
speaking on behalf of the National Coordinator, IDEAS project, noted that the project is designed to serve as a catalyst for innovation and job readiness through the acquisition of skills in emerging technologies.

"'This initiative which is supported by the World Bank, is undertaken by multiple firms, one which is the consortium of Alden Telecommunications and Innovation creation assembly (Gallery of CODE)

The Cyber school Africa program has  trained 700 young Nigerians in emerging technologies and other digital skills and given them the opportunity to engage and network with their counterparts , making them more ready for the market.

 Mr Oscar Ekponimo MD Gallery of CODE disclosed that the project is a program supported by the World Bank under the IDEAS department of the Ministry of Education 

The goal is to provide digital skills for the informal sector and it is being carried out under the umbrella of the ideas technology skills scholarship program

According to him,Gallery of CODE as an organisation are partnering as a consortium, together with the Ministry of Education, to provide the informal sector and young people, including women and girls, persons with disabilities(PWD)

"By the next ten years, the digital economy will have grown even bigger and even more advanced,therefore participation in that economy is very vital.

"The future ,he said,is really going to be influenced heavily by artificial intelligence, the idea of creativity will shift drastically we are already seeing social media space,in defense systems, even in the banking systems and other sectors, that is why we are passionate about making these skills available,

" One of the key components and goals of this is job creation,we believe that when people have skills that can be translated into value. They are able to participate and earn income while they are doing that.

We are so excited that this is happening, and we will like to thank the Ministry for their support and also thank the World bank for their support for this wonderful journey.

"We are providing them with digital skills such as artificial intelligence, user interface design user experience, cloud engineering and software engineering.

The National Programme Coordinating Unit, (NPCU) consultant,Mr Ndem Ndiyo said that the  project is one that is going to give young people hands-on-deck knowledge about the future of digital technology and knowledge.

He advised youths to shun cyber crimes and get engaged in learning new skills and gaining digital knowledge that will empower them for the future.

Highlights of the event were various displays of digital knowledge and learning experience by young Nigerians and participants and also pitching for grants