The Federal Government of Nigeria has said that not less than five million Nigerians will benefit from a digital upskilling programme being made possible by a partnership arrangement with the Microsoft Corporation, an American multinational technology company.
Additionally, locations in each of the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria would enjoy active internet connection and cloud services courtesy of this digital transformation plan.
The partnership with Microsoft Corporation which is anchored on connectivity, skilling and digital transformation followed discussions held earlier in the year between both parties, led by Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), on the side of the Nigerian Government and Microsoft President, Brad Smith, for the tech giant.
On the core areas of the partnership, Prof. Osinbajo said this partnership will focus on three pillars:
Connectivity: Six regions in the country have been earmarked for the development of high-speed internet infrastructure.
Microsoft will work closely with local partners to improve broadband connectivity in these communities while also assisting with the design and implementation of hyper-scale cloud services.
Skilling: Microsoft is committing to upskilling five million people in Nigeria over the next three years. To help reach this goal, 1,700 trainers will provide blended online and in-person training courses to the country’s youth as well as government workers.
Through these and other initiatives, Microsoft hopes to create over 27,000 new digital jobs in the next three years.
Digital transformation: This will take the shape of two separate initiatives:
By collaborating with local partners, Microsoft will support the design and implementation of cloud-based tools to further enable the government’s fight against corruption.
Through a newly formed partnership with the National Institute of Cultural Orientation, Microsoft will harness the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in support of the organisation’s efforts to preserve and revive Nigeria’s three major indigenous languages: Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo.
More details on these announcements, as well as a video address from Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Brad Smith, President of Microsoft, are available here…
Microsoft said it is excited to add to its existing investments in Nigeria and believes these initiatives can help build the foundation for a strong digital economy in the country.
