SSDC NITDA Train South South Youths in Digital Skills
By Ekanem Asuquo
A five day intensive digital skills training programme facilitated by the South South Development Commission in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency has been concluded for youths from the South South region.
The initiative forms part of the growing partnership between the SSDC and relevant federal agencies aimed at strengthening the technological capacity of young people in the region and across the country.
The programme was conducted at pilot centres in Abuja and Uyo, with participants drawn from the six states of the South South geopolitical zone.
The training focused on Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence and other emerging digital competencies considered essential for employability, entrepreneurship and innovation in today’s technology driven economy. At the end of the five day sessions, participants were equipped with practical knowledge in core IT areas and AI applications tailored to real world use.
Beyond classroom instruction, beneficiaries received laptops to support continued learning and the practical application of the skills acquired. They were also provided with monetised support packages to ensure seamless participation throughout the training period.
Officials described the initiative as a reflection of the youth focused leadership of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Ms Usoro Akpabio, whose efforts to position South South youths within Nigeria’s digital economy continue to attract strategic partnerships.
Following the successful pilot phase in Akwa Ibom State and the Federal Capital Territory, organisers disclosed that the programme would be extended to other South South states to broaden access and deepen impact across the region.
The initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s digital transformation agenda and reinforces NITDA’s mandate to promote inclusive technology adoption and digital capacity building nationwide.
Stakeholders further revealed that additional capacity building programmes are being developed under the SSDC and NITDA collaboration to expand innovation opportunities and strengthen the South South region’s emergence as a hub for technology driven enterprise.
