Cropped image of business woman using app on her tablet
Nigeria is poised to thrive in the digital economy by leveraging its youth population and meeting the growing global demand for digital skills, according to Francis Sani, Technical Adviser (Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Capital) to the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani.
Speaking at the launch of Darey.io and Xterns.ai, as well as their new technology hub, Sani highlighted the critical role of digital skills in fostering economic growth and enabling Nigeria to tap into the global outsourcing market. The event, themed ‘Tech and Tea: Brewing Nigeria’s Technology Innovation Future’, was held on Saturday evening in Yaba, Lagos.
Sani emphasised the ministry’s commitment to ensuring that all Nigerians, regardless of financial or geographical barriers, have access to technical training. As Programme Director of the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative, he underscored the importance of partnerships, such as the one with Darey.io, in providing AI-driven, project-based learning to enhance training quality.
He outlined the ministry’s five-pronged approach to digital development, which focuses on knowledge, policy, infrastructure, innovation and entrepreneurship, and trade. Additionally, he pointed to Nigeria’s youthful population as a key asset in the digital economy and noted ongoing efforts to attract tech companies to the country, creating job opportunities for young people.
On the economic impact of artificial intelligence, Sani urged Nigeria to position itself strategically, as AI will significantly transform work and value creation.
Dare Oluwafunmilayo, Founder and CEO of Darey.io, detailed his company’s plans to bridge gaps in Nigeria’s digital economy through strategic partnerships and infrastructure development. He explained that their new tech hub would serve as a collaborative space for young people to acquire essential digital skills and network with industry professionals.
“Our goal is to equip young people with the skills they need to thrive in the digital economy while building a talent pipeline for the industry,” he stated.
Regarding the 3MTT partnership, Oluwafunmilayo revealed that over 5,000 individuals had been trained in four and a half years, with 100,000 more currently enrolled. He stressed that the training, made possible through 3MTT support, remains free, highlighting the importance of public-private collaboration in driving economic progress.
He also emphasised the need for soft skills, stating that technical expertise alone is insufficient for employment; communication and teamwork are equally crucial.
To further empower young Nigerians, Oluwafunmilayo announced the launch of the Dare Olufunmilayo Human Capital Foundation, which aims to provide laptops and stipends to talented individuals in collaboration with partner organisations.
On certification, he confirmed that training would be recognised by global platforms such as Microsoft, AWS, and Google, in addition to Darey.io’s in-house certifications.
