U.S Pledges Support For Nigeria’s Digital Transformation

U.S Pledges Support For Nigeria’s Digital Transformation

TECHDIGEST – The United States (U.S) government yesterday promised to support programmes that provide youths with quality technological learning opportunities, which will translate to tech skills acquisition which it said remained crucial to Nigeria’s prosperity and economic competitiveness.

Its Consul-General, Will Stevens, gave the pledge when he joined representatives from leading American tech companies, Nigerian technology and business leaders for the official opening of the Digital Expert Academy in Lagos.

Founded by 21st Century Technologies, the Digital Expert Academy seeks to create opportunities to train and upskill young Nigerians in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, machine learning, cloud services, data science, data center management, among other tech fields.

Delivering keynote remarks on the theme “Technology as an Enabler and Tool for Empowerment,” Stevens said the U.S. government is committed to supporting programmes that provide youths with quality technological learning opportunities.

The U.S. envoy said the Joe Biden administration’s U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa aims to drive digital transformation and foster a digital ecosystem built on open, interoperable, reliable, and secure internet and information and communication technology.

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“This initiative is investing in some of Nigeria’s richest resources – its young people. We hope that by developing local talent in tech fields, we help accelerate medium and long-term growth in Nigeria’s and indeed Africa’s digital economy,” Stevens said.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman/CEO, 21st Century Technologies Group, Wale Ajisebutu, said the Digital Expert Academy will help bridge the gap between youth and employers by better connecting young people with the changing needs of the private sector and the skills needed to succeed in the digital economy.

He added that the academy will partner leading American tech companies such as Microsoft and Oracle to provide trainees with world class learning opportunities. The academy, he added, is open to youth who are at least 18 years with minimum of a high school diploma.

The envoy said the U.S. Mission supports Nigeria’s burgeoning tech scene and encourages the creation of the enabling environment necessary to foster a sector that contributes to a more prosperous future for all its citizens.