By Victor Ahiuma-Young

In a transformative move to combat Nigeria’s digital skills gap and unemployment crisis, the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) and Small Business Training Solutions (SBTS) have launched a groundbreaking partnership.
The initiative, designed to equip Nigerian youth with critical digital skills, was unveiled at a media launch at DBI’s headquarters in Abuja.

This collaboration aims to empower young Nigerians to become job creators, not job seekers, in the rapidly evolving digital economy.

President and CEO of DBI, David Daser, expressed his confidence that the partnership aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the 3MTT program spearheaded by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani. Daser highlighted that the initiative is a direct response to the increasing demand for skilled professionals capable of driving Nigeria’s digital transformation and contributing to economic growth.

DBI has long been a leader in ICT and telecommunications education, producing skilled professionals across various industries.

However, Daser acknowledged that the current challenges in the digital space require a more collaborative approach to education.
He emphasized that the partnership with SBTS represents a milestone in Nigeria’s digital future, pledging DBI’s continued commitment to training in fields such as digital marketing, software development, cybersecurity, and business management.

While technical skills are a key component of the initiative, the collaboration takes a holistic approach, providing mentorship, access to funding, and business incubation support.
Daser called on stakeholders from government agencies, the private sector, and other institutions to join forces in creating an ecosystem where innovation thrives and Nigerian youth can excel in the digital economy.

CEO of SBTS, Evelyn Lewis, echoed Daser’s sentiments, describing the partnership as a bold commitment to capacity building, job creation, and digital education. She noted that despite Africa’s abundant talent pool, many young people still lack access to structured, scalable training programs. SBTS brings global expertise to the table, ensuring that the training programs are practical, industry-driven, and designed to help participants succeed in both employment and entrepreneurship.

A standout feature of the collaboration is SBTS’s Intelligent Capacity Building Model (ICBM), which goes beyond traditional training by integrating financial support, mentorship, job placement, and continuous professional development. With this innovative approach, the DBI-SBTS partnership aims to generate 100,000 new digital jobs across Africa over the next five years, offering a large-scale solution to unemployment.

The program also leverages modern learning platforms, distance education, and micro-credentials, making high-quality digital education accessible to anyone, regardless of their location. Lewis emphasized that this approach will democratize digital education across Africa, ensuring that all willing learners, even from the remotest regions, can access world-class training.

At a time when Nigeria’s youth unemployment remains a significant concern, the DBI-SBTS partnership offers a solution by aligning training with the demands of the digital economy. The program connects participants to job opportunities, provides startup resources, and equips young people with the skills necessary to thrive in the workforce or as entrepreneurs. This approach aims to reduce reliance on traditional employment sectors and foster economic self-sufficiency.

The collaboration will also strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global digital economy by producing a workforce skilled in emerging technologies. By focusing on practical applications of digital skills, the program seeks to create individuals who are not only employable but also capable of creating their own job opportunities in the digital landscape.

Ultimately, the DBI-SBTS partnership represents more than an educational collaboration; it is a movement to empower Nigerian youth with the skills and opportunities necessary to shape Africa’s digital future.

As Daser and Lewis emphasized, the initiative is about transforming lives, unlocking potential, and contributing to Nigeria’s economic transformation. With the backing of key stakeholders and a broad outreach campaign, the program has the potential to reshape the future of Nigeria’s digital economy.

As the program gains momentum, media professionals have been urged to amplify its message and ensure that young Nigerians are aware of the life-changing opportunities available. Publicizing the initiative will be key to driving participation and maximizing its impact, helping the country move closer to its goal of becoming a global leader in digital innovation.