• Cybervilla and Ogun State launch tech program to train 10,000 young Nigerians
• The pilot phase starts with 50 participants in Abeokuta at the Ogun Tech Hub
• The program targets skills for digital jobs and entrepreneurship to fight poverty

Nigerian tech company Cybervilla, in partnership with the Ogun State government, has launched an ambitious program to train 10,000 young people in digital and entrepreneurial skills by 2027.

The initiative was officially launched on Friday, July 4, with a pilot phase involving 50 participants in Abeokuta. They will undergo a 12-week intensive training program hosted at the Ogun Tech Hub. The courses will focus on electronic equipment maintenance, management, and technology startup development.

Ifeanyin Adirika, CEO of Cybervilla, emphasized that technology is shaping the future and young Nigerians need to be equipped with the right skills to succeed. He explained that the program offers a valuable opportunity to gain practical experience, strengthen their abilities, and contribute meaningfully to society.

The program aims to equip young Nigerians with practical skills to enter the fast-growing digital sector, as Nigeria positions itself as a major tech hub in Africa. By strengthening technical abilities and promoting entrepreneurship, the initiative seeks to create formal jobs and foster business creation, essential to reducing poverty and driving economic inclusion.

According to the World Bank, Nigeria must absorb 3.5 million young people into the workforce each year. The country faces weak job creation and limited entrepreneurial opportunities, pushing many to seek opportunities abroad. In 2023, nearly 39% of Nigerians, or around 87 million people, lived below the poverty line, making Nigeria the second-largest population of poor people globally, after India.

At the same time, demand for digital skills is booming. It is estimated that 35% to 45% of jobs will require these skills by 2030. Programs like Cybervilla’s are seen as vital to preparing young people for the rapidly evolving job market.

The success of the initiative will depend on consistent access to funding, high-quality training, and strong post-program support. In countries like Kenya and Ghana, similar efforts have shown that robust ecosystems combining training, financing, and mentorship are critical to turning skills into lasting opportunities.

For Nigeria, building stronger links between public, private, and educational actors will be essential to ensure trained youth can find real job opportunities. It will also be necessary to continuously adapt the programs to meet evolving technology trends and market demands.