By Mutuvi Janet
Over five million people, mostly students from Nigeria will be trained on digital technology after its government endorsed a treaty with the United States – based technology giant, Microsoft.
Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami praised the project and termed it a game changer.
The deal which is intended to start in Nigeria and spread out to other African countries will enhance job creation and economic development. The project will run for five years.
“We came to an agreement with Microsoft after having talks for more than a year. They agreed to work with our government to enhance economic opportunities for young people,” he added.
Pantami stated that Nigeria was Africa’s most populous country and biggest economy with a largely young population of more than 200 million but unemployment was high and its education sector was struggling.
“With the digital training of people in Nigeria, it will help to eradicate unemployment issues, education struggles and the decline of the country’s economy,” Pantami noted.
The Nigerian government on its part will provide an enabling environment for Microsoft and other companies to operate in the country by ensuring that regulatory measures are developmental and flexible.
