ALX Nigeria, a tech training platform, has reaffirmed its dedication to addressing the digital skills gap in Nigeria. In line with this commitment, the organization has introduced its 2024 tech programs, covering a range of courses such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) Essentials, software engineering (front-end and back-end), data analytics, data science, Customer Relations Management (CRM) tools for Salesforce administrator, and AWS Cloud Computing. These programs aim to provide Nigerian youths with valuable skills at minimal or no cost.
Country General Manager of ALX Nigeria, Ruby Igwe, shared this information during a press briefing in Lagos over the weekend. Igwe highlighted the digital skills shortage in Nigeria, noting that only 35 percent of Nigerians possess basic digital skills, as reported by the World Bank. This figure falls significantly below the global average of 55 percent and has resulted in a substantial gap between available job opportunities and the number of qualified professionals to fill these roles.
To address this disparity, Igwe revealed that ALX Nigeria, in collaboration with the MasterCard Foundation, has already equipped over 120,000 Nigerian youths with technology skills since its establishment in 2019. The organization aims to extend its impact by providing training to as many youths between the ages of 18 and 34 who apply for their programs in 2024.
“We are not resting on our oars, as we have come up with tech programmes for 2024. Our 2024 programme is centred around tech, but we have also taken a step further with AI.
“What does AI mean for the Nigerian youths and how can they harness the potential of AI to grow their careers? In the spirit of wanting everyone to get on the AI wave, to be able to jump-start their career, we decided to introduce the AI Essentials into our programme this year, at no cost. We currently have hubs in about 10 locations in Lagos, and we intend to open new hubs in Abuja and Port-Harcourt,” Igwe stated.
Growth country manager, ALX Nigeria, Seun Babajide-Duroshola, said the ALX curriculum conforms with the international tech curriculum. “We take pride in it because we want to ensure that our learners, upon completion of their programmes, are better equipped to compete with their counterparts in any part of the world and to be able to make a difference in their workplace or in their entrepreneurship journey.
“We at ALX, don’t just give you the programme, we also provide a lot of soft skills. As soon as our learners are done with their programmes, they automatically become a part of the community where we link them to job opportunities, revamp their Curriculum Vitae (CVs) and give them interview tricks, among others,” Babajide -Duroshola stated.
Meanwhile, the funding and partnerships officer, of Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Ufuoma Emonena, disclosed that Lagos State is also partnering with ALX, to empower entrepreneurs and youths with employment opportunities in the tech space.
“We know that Lagos state is the economic heartbeat of Nigeria, and the tech industry plays a very important role in driving the growth and development of the state. With the partnership with ALX, LSETF aimed to strengthen its commitment to supporting tech innovation and entrepreneurship. We will be leveraging ALX expertise, network and resources to provide aspiring tech entrepreneurs in Lagos state with tools, knowledge and all that they need to succeed in their career journey and to navigate the dynamic digital landscape.
“We aim to create a pool of skilled Lagos professionals and tech enthusiasts who will contribute meaningfully to the state’s workforce in various tech-related fields, thereby unlocking the full potential of Lagos state tech ecosystem and creating new opportunities for growth, for prosperity and for innovation.”
