1,500 youths have benefited from the digital skills training under a collaboration between the federal government’s World Bank-supported IDEAS/TVET Project and the African Health Project.

The World Bank-supported Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills initiative, under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training programme, aimed to enhance job opportunities for youths across Nigeria.

Ali Onoja, AHP CEO and proprietor of Fabsi Institute of Entrepreneurship, disclosed this during the inauguration of the digital skills training in Suleja on Monday.

Mr Onoja stated that 529 youths were trained in the pilot digital-skills training program implemented between January and June 2024, noting that 460 of the 529 youths successfully met the certification requirements.

He added that subsequent training engagements, supported by Ubelle Nigeria Limited and its partners, trained over 1,000 additional youths.

“This brings the total number of beneficiaries already reached through the IDEAS/TVET and Fabsi partnership to well over 1,500 youths. Besides the 1,500 trained youths in the latest phase inaugurated in Suleja, the African Health Project has been approved to train 200 youths aged 15 to 35 in computer hardware and mobile device repairs. Successful participants will be registered with the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, towards improving their employability prospects,’’ he said.

Mr Onoja said the programme spans a minimum of six months, including certification and industry-based internships, with completion assessed at the point of job placement or self-employment.

The national project coordinator of IDEAS/TVET, Uche Mbaogwu, described the initiative as part of a strategy to curb unemployment by empowering youths with industry-driven digital skills.

She described the initiative as part of a national strategy to curb unemployment by empowering youths with industry-driven digital skills.

Ms Mbaogwu noted that the training was offered free of charge to beneficiaries as part of the government’s efforts to foster innovation and promote inclusive development. According to her, IDEAS/TVET remains committed to providing accessible skills, knowledge, and opportunities required for competitiveness in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

She commended African Health Project for its professionalism, describing the organisation as “not just a facilitator, but a nation builder helping Nigeria shape the future of its young people”.

(NAN)