In a bid to tackle youth unemployment and prepare young people for the digital economy, Benue State has partnered with Google to train 10,000 youths in Information and Communication Technology (ICT). This initiative, announced by Governor Hyacinth Alia, aims to equip participants with the skills needed to compete in the digital economy and open doors to endless opportunities.
The program is part of a broader effort to reduce youth unemployment and criminality in the state. Governor Alia emphasized the importance of this training, urging young people involved in criminal activities to lay down their arms and embrace peace. He also addressed concerns about drug abuse, cultism, and internet fraud.
In addition to the ICT training, the state government has outlined other programs to support youth development. These include the UN Volunteer Scheme, which will sponsor some Benue youth, and the Fashion Hub, a new space being constructed to encourage creativity and create jobs in the fashion industry.
This partnership between Benue State and Google aligns with broader national efforts to boost digital skills among Nigerian youth. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched the Digital Job Creation for Youths (DJCY) program, which has already trained over 2,000 youths across Nigeria.
The expected outcomes of this program include increased employability for participants, potential reduction in youth unemployment, a boost to the state’s tech ecosystem, and a possible decrease in youth involvement in criminal activities. However, challenges such as ensuring equitable access to the training and providing ongoing support for participants after the program need to be addressed.
As this program rolls out, it will be interesting to see how quickly the 10,000 youth can be trained, the types of jobs or businesses that emerge from this initiative, and whether other states in Nigeria follow Benue’s lead in partnering with tech companies. This collaboration between Benue State and Google represents a significant step towards preparing Nigerian youth for the digital future.
