In a major effort to address Nigeria’s employment deficit, the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) has partnered with US-based SBTS Group to create at least 50,000 direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians while equipping over five million youths with critical ICT skills.
The initiative, set to launch in February 2025, aims to close the digital skills gap by providing advanced training in digital literacy, coding, and other high-demand skills, ensuring Nigerian youths can compete in the global job market.
Bridging the Digital Skills Gap
Speaking on the partnership, Daser David, President/CEO of DBI, explained that despite Nigeria’s expanding digital economy, sectors like financial services, healthcare, entertainment, transportation, and ICT continue to struggle with a shortage of qualified digital professionals.
> “This collaboration is a direct effort to bridge this gap by equipping young Nigerians with the essential skills needed for today’s digital workforce,” David stated.
The initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (2020-2030) and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative led by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, under Minister Dr. Bosun Tijani.
David projected that by 2030, over five million Nigerian youths will have received advanced ICT training, with 50,000 jobs created in the short term.
Empowering Youth for a Digital Future
Highlighting the importance of the initiative, David emphasized that Nigerian youth hold the key to the country’s economic transformation.
> “To transition from an agriculture-dependent economy to a thriving digital landscape, targeted IT upskilling is crucial. This initiative provides after-school programs in digital literacy and vocational training for underserved youth, preparing them for a tech-driven job market and driving inclusive economic growth,” he added.
Each DBI campus will host a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) center, offering thousands of job opportunities in both local and remote digital work, further integrating Nigeria into the global digital economy.
SBTS Group’s Commitment to Youth Development
Evelyn Lewis, CEO of SBTS Group, reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to empowering Nigerian youths and countering the narrative of hopelessness surrounding unemployment.
> “Despite the negativity often portrayed, Nigeria is brimming with opportunities for young people. We are thrilled to collaborate with DBI in supporting the government’s agenda to train and equip unemployed youth with digital skills and comprehensive ICT knowledge, empowering them for a brighter future,” Lewis said.
This partnership underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to fostering decent, productive, and freely chosen employment opportunities, in line with President Bola
Tinubu’s national development agenda.
