By Victor Ahiuma-Young

The Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) and Learn2Earn have announced a strategic partnership aimed at training one million Artificial Intelligence (AI) engineers over the next ten years, in a move aligned with the Nigerian Government’s efforts to expand digital skills and create millions of jobs in the tech sector.

The partnership was formalized during a courtesy visit by Learn2Earn’s CEO, Kesiah Valkin, to DBI President David Daser at the institute’s Abuja headquarters. 

A statement by DBI’s Head of Public Affairs & Media Relations, Soji-Ezekiel Fagbemi, informed that both organizations are committed to making the program a landmark in AI education and workforce development in Nigeria.

According to the statement “The collaboration will leverage DBI’s modern infrastructure to support training initiatives, with 750 participants already enrolled in the first cohort, including 95 hosted at DBI’s Abuja campus.

“Learn2Earn’s Chairman, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, described DBI as an ideal partner for the ambitious programme. The whole idea for us is a realization that we are at an interesting point in history, and DBI is always the institution that enables us whenever we are at those points. The globe is turning towards Artificial Intelligence, and a lot of skills are being required.

 “Our plan is to create a mass of AI engineer talents over the next ten years. The aim is to train one million AI engineers; it is a very big vision, being done in tandem with the present administration’s 3MTT programme. AI is a global phenomenon, and this provides opportunities for us to work with partners like DBI and others.”

DBI’s Head of Special Duties, Viola Askia-Usoro, welcomed the partnership, citing shared visions and DBI’s readiness to support the programme. 

“There are many aspects of DBI you can leverage to make the programme successful and utilize our resources and facilities. We basically have the same vision. It is going to be the beginning of an interesting partnership,” she said.

An MoU is expected to be signed between the two organizations soon.

The meeting also included top executives from Learn2Earn, including Co-Founders David Sultan of 01 Talent, Temitope Ogunsemo of Krystal Digital, and Ayoola Jolayemi of Riverbank Technologies. Representing DBI were Mrs Ngozi Nwoche (Head, Corporate Affairs), Paulinus Ugwoke (Head, Research Innovation & Partnership), and Judith Uzougbo (Head, Business Development and Client Services).

The partnership is expected to significantly boost the Nigerian digital economy, equipping hundreds of thousands of young people with employable AI and tech skills, and contributing to the government’s broader 3MTT digital transformation agenda.