Huawei, Citibank, Arm lead private sector to bridge Nigeria’s digital skills gap

Acquiring skills needed to survive and thrive in a knowledge economy driven by digital technologies has become an imperative in order to bridge Nigeria’s digital gap, which keeps widening.

To address this challenge, Huawei, Citibank and Arm have integrated Information Communications Technology (ICT) education for Nigerian Youth into their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in collaboration with some state governments such as the Lagos State.

A recent study conducted by the United Nations, suggests that “broader socio-economic factors”, in particular education levels may need to be addressed if the United Nations is to reach its target of having 60 percent of the world’s population online by 2020.

“Knowing how to read, write, is certainly important. However, in the 21st century it is going to be just as important in conventional and online education to be literate with technology as well. Not only is it already difficult to find a job without basic computer and technological skills, but it is going to be hard to learn without them as well” said Lindsey Wright, a renowned educator.

Africa has the lowest rate of internet penetration in the world, with countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Chad and Somalia having penetration rates of 3.9 percent, 6.5 percent, 2.7 percent and 1.7 percent respectively. Nigeria’s is 46 percent skewed towards urban centres.

Prior to the 21st century, the term ‘literate’ defined a person’s ability to read and write, separating the educated from the uneducated. With the advent of a new millennium and the rate by which technology is transforming society, the concept of literacy has assumed new meanings.

Expectedly, the digital divide to which Wright refers, remains one of Nigeria major challenges.

Government at various levels in Nigeria is galvanising collaborations with the private sector towards providing ICT education and empowerment. Corporate giants – Huawei Technologies Nigeria, Citibank Nigeria, ARM, and others – have taken the cue, and are making significant contributions in this regard.

For instance, Akinwunmi Ambode the Lagos State governor has made ICT a priority for his administration. Initiatives such as the Project 350 and ‘Code Lagos’ are both designed to address the digital gap, and global ICT giants, Huawei Technologies, telecoms infrastructure market leader IHS, and others have since plugged in.

The projects currently under execution run the risk of abandonment, as is the case with many such CSR initiatives. However, Citibank Nigeria has committed to a 5-year plan for the Project 350, while Huawei Technologies have been training young Nigerians in ICT since 2004. This year, another 2,000 young Nigerians will be trained by the Chinese company in ICT processes in Abuja and Lagos as part of their CSR initiatives.

When more corporate organisations come on board a critical mass might be reached that would significantly stem the widening digital gap.

 

STEPHEN ONYEKWELU