In a landmark move, Google has announced its intent to empower and equip Nigeria’s youth and women with vital digital skills while facilitating the creation of digital jobs in the country. During a meeting with Google Africa executives held in Abuja on Tuesday, it was revealed that the tech giant aims to train 20,000 Nigerian women and youth in digital skills. Additionally, Google plans to extend a substantial grant of 1.2 billion naira (equivalent to $1.6 million) to support the Nigerian government’s initiative to generate one million digital jobs.
Vice President Kashim Shettima of Nigeria highlighted the country’s aspiration to provide digital employment opportunities for its sizable youth population. However, specific timelines for job creation were not disclosed during the discussions.
Google’s initiative will be facilitated through a grant from its philanthropic arm, in collaboration with Data Science Nigeria and the Creative Industry Initiative for Africa.
Shettima underscored the alignment between Google’s initiative and the government’s commitment to fostering greater youth involvement in the digital economy. The collaboration also extends to Nigeria’s banking sector, as the government is partnering with the country’s banks to further these efforts.
Olumide Balogun, Google’s Director for West Africa, emphasized that the company’s commitment goes beyond financial investment. Google aims to provide digital skills to Nigerian women and young individuals, with a concurrent focus on nurturing startups that will contribute to job creation.
During the meeting, Charles Murito, Google Africa’s Director of Government Relations and Public Policy, highlighted the company’s dedication to investing in digital infrastructure across Africa. He emphasized the role of digital transformation as a significant catalyst for job opportunities.
Google, renowned for its dominance in artificial intelligence, online advertising, and search engine technology, has positioned itself as a driving force in global tech. Founded in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin during their time at Stanford University, Google has become a cornerstone of the Big Tech industry alongside other tech giants like Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook), and Microsoft.
This initiative signifies Google’s commitment to fostering technological growth, digital skills development, and job creation in Nigeria, while simultaneously aligning with the nation’s ambitions for economic progress and digital transformation.
