STEAM Africa Initiative, a non-profit organisation in collaboration with technology companies Cisco and Microsoft has launched The One million Nigerians initiative to address the growing unemployment in the country,
The One million Nigerians initiative aims to provide worldwide in-demand digital and entrepreneurial skills for One million Nigerians to reduce unemployment among the youth and create an enabling environment for the actualisation of sustainable development in Nigeria, through the support of esteemed partners like Microsoft and CISCO.
Tiro Ovakporie, founder, STEAM Africa Initiative speaking at the virtual launched of the initiative said as a team of young, vibrant, passionate, creative and innovative people, the 18 months education programme will open new doors to learning, creativity, problem-solving and invention through science, new technology, and vocational skills for all ages.
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Ovakporie said the One million Nigerians initiative is set to bring a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s digital space, adding that children and youths in our community must be exposed to careers in science, engineering, new technology, arts and humanities because they are pathways of economic growth and development.
According to Ovakporie, “one of the key steps needed to foster a safe and successful economic recovery is expanded access to the digital skills needed to fill new jobs and start new businesses for people hardest hit by job losses, including those with lower incomes, women, and underrepresented minorities in Nigeria.
Globally, 2020 has been one of the most challenging years in many of our lifetimes. Over the last few months, the world has been by impacted multiple challenges, especially a pandemic that has spurted a global economic crisis. As societies reopen, it is evident that the economy in November, will not be what it was in January or even what we had planned for it to be.
Oluwamuyiwa Orimolade, marketing and communication coordinator, Microsoft Philanthropies Middle East and Africa said the initiative ties into the goal of Microsoft which is to help 25 million job seekers worldwide gain new skills for a more digital economy.
Orimolade noted that Microsoft cannot achieve the goal alone hence the partnership across sectors to create greater impact for job seekers around the world.
