Information Communication Technology (ICT) firms such as Airtel, Asus, Tecno, RLG, Intel, Dell, Lenovo, Microsoft, HP, and financial services provider, Diamond Bank, have partnered with the Federal Government to explore ways to create more jobs in the ICT sector.
Speaking at a forum organised at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos with Driving Economic Growth and Employment in Nigeria through ICT as its theme, Senior Special Adviser to the President on Job creation and Youth Employment, Afolabi Imoukhuede urged the companies to create avenues for manufacturing products in the country, rather than assembling alone. He also urged the youths to build their skills to enable them become employable in an increasingly competitive job market.
“Our industries are not catching up as fast as our population growth. We want to help our youths create jobs or enterprise. We have about eight to 10 million Nigerian youths out of job and it is not because there are no jobs; we have to deal with employability skills; technology plays the enabling role to achieve this. We must increase and deepen our internet penetration. We need to go beyond just assembling, we want more backward integration,” he said.
An official of Diamond Bank pledged the support of the initiative, promising that it will continue to provide financial platforms for businesses to grow and for schools to train pupils in the use of technology.
The companies urged Nigerians to partner with them as they collaborate to achieve a desired economy.
Intel Regional President for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa, Mrs Cigdem Ertem said the companies have come together to create a technology ecosystem that would create jobs and boost entrepreneur in the country.
She said: “We are focusing on economic growth and development in Nigeria. Technology is the foundation to do anything in the world now, including advancing in global competition, growing businesses among others. People need technology to better their lives. We are talking about how we are going to achieve economic growth and grow employment in Nigeria through technology.”
Mrs Ertem reiterated Intel’s commitment to making computers and internet more accessible and affordable to the population.
She said the company is currently training 100, 000 teachers in ICT and expanding its ‘She will connect’ programme from its current reach of 800, 000 women in Africa being empowered in ICT, to five million.
Source: The Nation