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Over Four Million Available for Nigerians with Special Tech Skills, Says Experts

Over Four Million Available for Nigerians with Special Tech Skills, Says Experts
By: Michael Mike
There is urgent need to improve digital skills across the country in order to build the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), experts in technology have advised.
The experts said by leveraging digital connectivity, providing high-quality tech education, and fostering a supportive community, this new initiative will undoubtedly open up job market opportunities not only for the local population but also on a global scale.
Speaking at the inauguration of a tech incubation hub in the nation’s capital Abuja, experts said over four million jobs remain available for citizens with special tech skills.

The Country Director of GoMyCode, Babatunde Olaifa, said: “We are thrilled with the Nigerian Government’s visionary mission to address youth unemployment through skills development. At GoMyCode, we firmly believe that by investing in tech education, this plays a critical role in shaping the future workforce.”
Olaifa added that: “We are inaugurating our space in Abuja. It is about how to create jobs and values that would contribute to GDP growth, not just in Nigeria but across Africa continent.”
He said: “We have network of schools, four in Lagos, one in Abuja. We train people in digital skills, people that want to transit into the tech space, our mission as a company is to accelerate Africa transition to digital economy.”
He disclosed that GoMyCode has an impressive track record of empowering 20,000 students across various disciplines, equipping them with the necessary skills to excel in the digital landscape in nine countries namely; Tunisia, Nigeria, Morocco, Senegal, Algeria, Kenya, Jordan, Côte d’Ivoire and Egypt, noting that the company is on a revolutionary mission to democratise education by empowering individuals with the skills needed to thrive in the current digital age, insisting that with a formidable extensive network of hackerspaces; GoMyCode currently has five physical spaces in Nigeria; Yaba, Ikeja, Festac, Lekki; in Lagos with Abuja being the latest of its accomplishments.
He said the move into Abuja aims to further address the pressing issue of unemployment, both locally and globally, by leveraging digital connectivity and empowering individuals, particularly women and children, stating that with its innovative approach, GoMyCode’s initiative holds great promise in transforming the job market and enhancing economic development in Nigeria.
He said this is coming at the best of tomes when Nigerian Government is embarking on a visionary plan to provide ample employment opportunities for over one million Nigerian youth, disclosing that GoMyCode seeks to play a significant role by training young individuals to become skilled professionals and invaluable assets to society through digital connectivity.
The keynote speaker at the inauguration, Mr. Inyene Ibanga, the Lead, Corporate and Communications officer of the Office for National Digital Innovation (ONDI) who represented the Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said: “By training and empowering the Nigerian youth, we will be enabling them to turn their potential into reality, while further bolstering economic growth, and fostering a culture of innovation.”
While emphasising the importance of Hackerspaces to improve the economy of Nigeria, he lauded the team’s approach for opening physical spaces where individuals from diverse backgrounds can have access to information and facilitators, he said: “This brings to the mind several crucial factors as to why the Abuja launch was important.
He noted that: “Firstly, technology over the years has become an integral part of every industry on and offline, and those equipped with digital skills are more likely to find employment opportunities than those without. By offering a dedicated space for learning and upskilling, GoMyCode will be bridging the existing skill gap by providing individuals with the expertise needed to thrive in the digital era. Secondly, the hackerspace serves as a community for aspiring tech professionals, entrepreneurs, and freelancers, offering them an environment conducive to collaboration, innovation, and networking. This sense of community propels knowledge sharing, industry partnerships, and the creation of new job opportunities.”
GoMyCode, is a renowned technology education platform, founded in the Netherlands by Yahya Bouhlel a Tunisian citizen and his brother Amine Bouhlel, GoMyCode strives to enhance not just the digital skills of an adult but encourage and groom the innate knowledge of children who are technically motivated to create and grow as valuable members of society.
Over Four Million Available for Nigerians with Special Tech Skills, Says Experts
News
Women engineers urge intensified action to tackle plastic pollution

Women engineers urge intensified action to tackle plastic pollution
The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), on Monday, called for urgent global action to tackle plastic pollution causing environmental crisis.
APWEN, under its “STEM for All” initiative, North-East zone, made the call, while commemorating the 2025 World Environment Day in Gombe.
Speaking virtually, President of APWEN, Engr. Adebisi Osim, said it is imperative to encourage recycling of plastics, as part of measures to reduce pollution.
Osim noted that the amount of plastics manufactured annually for use had made it necessary for urgent actions to be taken, to ensure a cleaner and safer environment.
“Today’s theme, “End Plastic Pollution” is not just a catchy phrase, It is a wake-up call; a global one and we are answering that call, not with panic, but with STEM-driven solutions and people-centered action.
“According to the United Nations Environment Programme, the world produces over 430 million tonnes of plastic annually, and over two-thirds of that becomes waste.
“Alarmingly, less than 10 per cent is recycled, and the rest clogs our drains, litters our streets, chokes our rivers, and poisons marine life.
“Here in Nigeria, the World Bank estimates that Lagos alone generates 13,000 metric tonnes of waste per day, and 15 per cent of that is plastic.
“We see it daily in pure water sachets lining our gutters, single-use bags littering markets, and microplastics infiltrating our food chains,” she said
.
Osim called on stakeholders to invest more in recycling the plastics towards reducing the need for new plastic production, which will in turn lower greenhouse gas emission.
She assured that state chapters are collaborating with young people, to design plastic alternatives, using local materials, and to build waste-sorting systems using simple robotics.
Osim added that the chapters will also explore the conduct of STEM fairs, which are focused on sustainable innovation.
In the same vein, Chairman of the Gombe chapter of APWEN, Engr. Deborah Danladi, urged stakeholders to invest in plastic waste recycling, to save the environment, as well as create jobs and wealth for youths.
Danladi also underscored the need for more action and sensitisation to ensure collective approach to addressing the menace of plastic pollution.
Women engineers urge intensified action to tackle plastic pollution
News
UN Agencies Drum Support for Adequate Investment in MSMEs

UN Agencies Drum Support for Adequate Investment in MSMEs
By: Michael Mike
The United Nations (UN) agencies in Nigeria have hammered on the need for adequate investment in the development of Micro, Small and Medium sized Enterprises (MSMEs) to advance economic growth in the country.
The agencies disclosed this during the commemoration ceremony of the 2025 MSMEs Day on Monday in Abuja.
The event was jointly organised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), International Labour Organisation (ILO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) and World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
Director, UNIDO Sub-regional Office, Abuja, Mr. Philbert Johnson, who was represented by National Programme Officer at UNIDO, Mr. Reuben Bamidele,, said that MSMEs role in nation building cannot be underestimated, therefore the need for adequate investment to ensure their sustainable growth is of uppermost importance.
Johnson said: “We are gathered together today to discuss proper ways to promote innovation and growth within the MSMEs sector.
“In Nigeria, as we know not less than 40million MSMEs are making huge contribution to the economic growth of the country, by providing employment and serving as means of livelihood for people.
“MSMEs, thereby, contribute to the growth of Gross Domestic Products across sectors of the country’s economy. We gathered to dissect the challenges MSMEs face and also, to work closely together towards achieving sustainable growth.”
The ILO Country Representative, Dr Vanessa Phala, stressed the need for strategic measures to be taken to bolster MSMEs impact on the nation’s economy.
Phala, who was represented by ILO’s National Project Coordinator for the Social Dimension of Ecological Transition, Stephen Agugua, said: “We look at how MSMEs can drive the future of the economy through job creation and employment. When you think of job creation and employment that is where ILO comes in.
“MSMEs are key to the growth of every economic sphere: Through this dialogue platform ILO will know the challenges MSMEs are facing and look at pathways for ensuring sustainable solutions collectively.”
The UNDP Deputy-Director, Ms Varsha Redkar-Palepu, represented the National Programme Specialist and Trade Focal Point at UNDP by Claire Henshaw,, described MSMEs as pivotal to nation building.
She noted that MSMEs form the foundation of inclusive and sustainable development in Nigeria, “MSMEs are vital engines for job creation, innovation and social mobilisation, particularly for women and youths. While operating on margins of formal economic systems, we need to put MSMEs at the centre of our development.
“In Nigeria and across Africa, MSMEs holds the key to transforming economic opportunities to meaningful development and the ambition into tangible outcomes,” Phala said.
On his part, Managing-Director of Prohealth, a private organisation, Dr Chinedu Nnabuihe who spoke on behalf of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), commended the UN agencies for putting the event together.
According to him, the event is dedicated to the invaluable role MSMEs play in advancing innovation, creating jobs, increasing inclusive and sustainable economic growth across the country.
“In Nigeria, MSMEs are the engine of our economy, driving local production, supporting livelihood and contributing significantly to national GDPs. This is amidst challenges posed by economic situation, limited access to finance and infrastructure.
“Nigeria MSMEs have continued to demonstrate resilience, creativity and determination. At NECA we remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering an enabling environment in supporting MSMEs development,” Nnabuihe said.
The event attracted stakeholders from Small and Medium Enterprises Development (SMEDAN), Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Nigeria Association of of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
Others include, National Insurance Commission (NICOM), Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).
Highpoint of the event was visit by the stakeholders to the exhibition stand of MSMEs, overview of UNDP engagement with MSMEs, government agencies’ engagement with MSMEs and WIP-intellectual property for MSMEs.
End
News
NDLEA is Central to Africa’s Action Plan on Drug Control, Crime Prevention- AU Commission

NDLEA is Central to Africa’s Action Plan on Drug Control, Crime Prevention- AU Commission
By: Michael Mike
The Commission of the African Union has said the formulation of new action plan on drug control and crime prevention on the African continent would not be complete without inputs from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) because of its central role in law enforcement on the continent.

The AU Commission stated this on Monday during an assessment visit to the NDLEA’s National Headquarters in Abuja by a three-member delegation including the team lead Dr. Olubusayo Akinola, Head of Social Welfare, Drug Control and Crime Prevention; Dr. Abiola Olaleye, Senior Drug Epidemiology and Research Officer; and Prof. Johan Strijdom, Senior Drug Control Consultant.
The visit was to evaluate the African Union Plan of Action on Drug Control and Crime Prevention (2019-2025).
Akinola said: “We are here to understand the status of implementation of this continental action plan on drug control and crime prevention. We are in the process of re-evaluating and starting another continental action plan that will take us from 2026 to 2030. So, we have identified a few countries to understand how this action plan was actually implemented in the member states. And if there are gaps and the new and current emerging trends that we can include.
“So, we understand very well the work of NDLEA and we believe that the formulation of the new action plan will not be finalized and concluded until we have inputs from NDLEA Nigeria, because you are basically on the forefront when it comes to law enforcement on the entire continent.”
The AU Commission delegation commended the NDLEA for its sustained provision of critical and policy-relevant data, which has significantly informed and shaped the work of the Commission over the years. The visit, according to the delegation, aimed to obtain a comprehensive update on the current status of implementation of national drug control strategies, identify operational and institutional gaps, and explor#####eiiii#ehue#pp7l#######el#e7l77#e7l7#wlAfrican##wle potential areas for technical assistance, particularly in relation to capacity development, forensic science capabilities, canine detection units, and other strategic enablers of drug control efforts.
Welcoming the delegation, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), emphasized the importance of the mission, stating that he considered it imperative to receive the team personally due to the strategic relevance of their engagement.

He said: “We are particularly pleased that the African Union is giving due weight to the implementation of the continental action plan, not merely as a theoretical exercise, but by undertaking direct field consultations with national counterparts. This grounded, evidence-informed approach will undoubtedly result in a more pragmatic and responsive framework for implementation.”
Marwa highlighted the urgency of addressing the continent’s growing drug challenge, adding that while global projections estimate a 10–11% rise in drug use prevalence, Africa is expected to experience a surge of up to 40%. “This disparity signals a looming crisis that demands coordinated and accelerated action. We deeply appreciate the AU’s leadership in this space and commend your proactive efforts,” he added.
NDLEA is Central to Africa’s Action Plan on Drug Control, Crime Prevention- AU Commission
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