On January 27, 2025, the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) announced a significant partnership with the U.S.-based SBTS Group LLC aimed at equipping Nigerian youth with essential digital skills. This collaboration is part of the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative, which seeks to address Nigeria's digital divide and create numerous job opportunities [abae87fc].
Akin Ogunlade, DBI’s Head of Public Affairs, stated that the partnership will focus on training thousands of young Nigerians in advanced digital skills and establishing Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) hubs in major cities such as Lagos, Enugu, and Kano [abae87fc]. This initiative is particularly timely, as the International Finance Corporation projects that by 2030, over 230 million jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills, creating an estimated 650 million training opportunities [abae87fc].
DBI President Daser David emphasized that this partnership aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to enhance the country's technological capabilities and foster economic growth. SBTS CEO Evelyn Lewis also highlighted the urgency of closing Africa's digital skills gap, noting that the renovations at DBI campuses have already begun, starting with locations in Enugu and Kano [abae87fc].
This collaboration is expected to spur innovation and attract investments, ultimately preparing Nigerian youth for the future job market and contributing to a robust digital economy [abae87fc].