FG Signs MOU with Chinese Firm, Huawei to train 2000 young Nigerians on ICT

The Federal Government, Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the leading Chinese technology firm, Huawei, to train 2000 young Nigerians on Information and Communication Technology, ICT.

The MOU provides 2000 Information and Communication Technology, ICT trainee jobs to young Nigerians next year under the “Huawei’s Seeds for the Future program.”

According to Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, who was joined by the Minister for Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige and Communications Minister, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, at the signing of the MOU “ICT is one of the quickest ways people can get decent jobs, so we think this is absolutely important.”

Continuing, he said “in the change agenda, how to grow the economy is important, and we want to create ICT hubs and support existing ones. We thank Huawei for this initiative of advancing technology in Nigeria, apart from the job creation itself.”

Observing the current poor rating of Nigeria in the global rankings of business environments, the Vice President disclosed that the president has already given the Trade, Industry & Investment Minister the task of addressing the challenges of doing business in the country.

At an event also attended by the Chinese Ambassador Gu Xiaojie, the Vice President said the relationship between Nigeria and China is a strategic one, and urged Chinese investors and business leaders to consider Nigeria for manufacturing plants. He said the Chinese investors “should encourage not just the selling, but also the manufacturing of products in Nigeria.”

According to the Chinese envoy, China is in partnership with the Buhari presidency in the “change” agenda, listing the nation’s plans to be involved in such areas like Agricultural modernization, industrialization, infrastructure, trade and investment, poverty alleviation, and peace and security among others.

Nigeria’s Ministers for Labour and Communications, whose ministries would select the 2000 trainees, signed the MOU on behalf of the federal government while Mr. Richard Cao, the Vice President of Huawei West Africa signed for the Chinese Information Communication and technology firm.

Both ministers commended the initiative, with Ngige saying “China has blazed the trail,” with the job creation MOU with the Buhari presidency, and Shittu in a similar vein praised the effort and asked the Chinese people to consider setting up a technology institute or polytechnic in Nigeria.

He added that Huawei hopes to become a strategic partner to the Nigeria government in the future ICT planning and development, and will continue to expand our contributions and training programs in Nigeria. The ICT training initiative strives to create a platform to nurture work-ready ICT Experts by providing authentic ICT industry-relevant education.