By Chinenye Anuforo
The Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) has entered into a strategic partnership with US-based SBTS Group LLC to address Nigeria’s digital skills gap and create thousands of job opportunities for Nigerian youth. This collaboration aims to equip young Nigerians with in-demand digital skills for global competitiveness.
“This partnership is a milestone for Nigeria’s digital future,” said Daser David, President/CEO of DBI. “By leveraging SBTS Group’s Intelligent Capacity Building Model (ICBM) and DBI’s expertise in ICT training, we will empower millions of Nigerians with globally competitive skills and enhance the country’s participation in the global digital economy.”
According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), over 230 million jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills by 2030, thus creating nearly 650 million training opportunities. This summarizes the importance of this initiative and the urgency required to bridging Africa’s digital skills gap.
The partnership would focus on skill development and employment, which would involve training of thousands of Nigerians in advanced digital and technical skills; providing job placements locally and internationally for trained individuals; and develop a robust pipeline of skilled professionals to bridge Nigeria’s digital skills gap.
It would also focus on infrastructure upgrades and resource centers, with establishment of BPO hubs and tech resource centers in Lagos, Enugu, Kano, and other DBI campuses. More importantly, the initiative would provide a campus-learning experience for the trainees.
According to the President/CEO, the partnership would boost Nigeria’s role in the global outsourcing market by creating high-value job opportunities.
He emphasised that the initiative aligns with the development blueprint of the federal government as it prioritises human capital development, job creation and socio-economic transformation.
Besides, he said the partnership would support the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative of the Ministry of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, spearheaded by the Minister, Dr. Bosun Tijani; to position Nigeria as a leading exporter of digital talent.
While highlighting the DBI’s dedication to bridging Nigeria’s digital divide, David said: “Our partnership with SBTS aligns with our mission to foster digital skills and transform lives. By integrating Nigeria’s youth into the global technological workforce, we are laying the foundation for a thriving digital economy.”
The Chief Executive Officer of SBTS Group, Evelyn Lewis, also emphasized the partnership’s urgency in launching Nigeria to the global digital space for the millions of Nigerian youth to take advantage.
He said; “Africa’s digital skills gap is a barrier to growth. By collaborating with DBI, we aim to close this gap, create jobs, and accelerate technology adoption, boosting productivity across sectors.”
As Africa’s largest economy with a burgeoning youth population, Nigeria is positioned to take a leading role in this digital transformation of the continent.
David explained further that many of these opportunities will require intermediate and advanced technical skills, beyond basic digital literacy; adding that the DBI-SBTS collaboration directly addresses these challenges by creating a sustainable framework for skill development.
Already, the renovation and upgrades have commenced at DBI campuses, beginning with Enugu and Kano, with plans to extend nationwide. These improvements will create state-of-the-art facilities for delivering cutting-edge training programs.
The partnership will also implement the ICBM framework, enabling DBI to offer advanced digital skills training, support the establishment of BPO centers, and create an ecosystem for innovation and growth.
David hinted that the initiative is basically to empower Nigeria’s youths and the economy: He said: “This collaboration is a game-changer for Nigeria’s economy. By equipping job seekers with digital skills, the initiative enhances their employability and contributes to national development. The integration of digital talent into various sectors is expected to spur innovation, attract investments, and position Nigeria as a global hub for skilled digital professionals.”