By Johnson Adebowale
In a strategic move to tackle Nigeria’s high unemployment rate, IT experts are highlighting the vital role of information technology education. Leading this initiative is Raptors West Africa Limited, a prominent IT education provider in Nigeria. Recently, the company’s chief operating officer, Sajan Rohan Suvarna, and head of operations, Summit Sharma, inaugurated a new Aptech Training Centre in Lekki, Lagos.
The new centre is designed to make ICT education more accessible to residents of Lagos, both on the Island and the Mainland. This addition marks the 10th Aptech centre in Nigeria, underscoring the firm’s commitment to enhancing technical training across the country. Suvarna, speaking at the inauguration, emphasized the significance of their long-standing presence in Nigeria’s IT sector.
“We have been engaged in the computer business and IT training for the past thirty-five years in Nigeria. Our first centre opened in 2000 at Maryland, and since then, we have expanded to Surulere, Victoria Island, Ajao Estate, Isheri, and now Chevron, Lekki. We also have centres in Abuja and Port Harcourt, making it a total of ten centres,” Survana stated.
Raptors West Africa Limited holds the exclusive franchise for Aptech learning licenses in Nigeria and also offers licenses for retail and hospitality training programmes. Suvarna highlighted the comprehensive nature of their courses, which range from Microsoft Office and Java to advanced coding. The flagship Aptech Certified Computer Professional (ACCP) course provides students with the opportunity to complete their education at universities in London and other developed countries, ultimately earning a B.Sc. (Honours) degree.
Survana explained: “Our programmes offer significant benefits. Students trained here can save on costs compared to studying directly in the UK. They pay less for their training in Nigeria and then have the opportunity to complete their degree and obtain a two-year work permit in the UK.”
Addressing the potential of IT to combat unemployment, Suvarna asserted: “The IT sector is currently the fastest-growing and highest-paying sector. The demand for IT experts is extremely high globally, and Nigeria stands to benefit immensely as more companies require these skills.”
Sharma echoed Suvarna’s sentiments, emphasizing the booming nature of the IT industry. “Everything is computer-based in today’s world,” Sharma noted. “From android phones to iPhones, the foundation is information technology, with Java being a crucial language we teach. Social media and other digital platforms are driving global employment opportunities in this sector.”
The opening of the new Aptech Training Centre in Lekki is a strategic move to empower more Nigerians with essential IT skills, thereby enhancing their employability and contributing to the nation’s economic growth. As the IT industry continues to expand, such initiatives are crucial in bridging the gap between education and employment, ensuring a brighter future for Nigeria’s workforce.