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FG To Train 500,000 Nigerian youths On Digital Skills–Youth Minister

Published

6 years ago

October 26, 2019

Joel Ajayi

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, has revealed that plans and programmes are at an advanced stage for the federal government to train no fewer than 500,000 Nigerian youths on the acquisition of digital skills.

Mr Dare said that Nigerian youths are on their way to becoming part of the digital wealth economy of the 21st century.

Addressing 2000 participants of N-Power Software at the Public Service Institute of Nigeria in Abuja, he assured that the ministry will build on the capacity of programmes already earmarked for the youths and scale up to more beneficiaries in pursuit of government’s objective of employment and wealth creation.

The Minister also promised that opportunities that will be created from such expanded programmes will be accessible to all interested youths.

“One of the plans we have is Digital Youth Nigeria (DYNG). It is a plan to train our youths and make them employable. The ministry will partner with this programme (N-Power Software) to ensure that we ratchet up this programme so that in the coming years, we can reach more of you in thousands.

“We would build on the capacity of the programmes already earmarked for the youths. We will not reinvent the wheel. The Ministry will be able to bring several of your colleagues to benefit. We have youth centres spread across the country that we will use to achieve this.

“It will be a transparent system because there will be a digital footprint. Wherever you are in this country, you have the opportunity to access whatever programme for the youths in this country.

“Let me also intimate you of the ministry’s plans to help 500,000 young people acquire digital skills in two years. It will create an avenue for them to get access to information for opportunities through an online platform, among others,” he promised.

The Minister equally expressed delight at N-Power Software organized by the Presidency, stressing that the youths were on the verge of becoming part of the digital wealth economy of the 21st century.

He added that part of the mandates handed down to the ministry is to create opportunities for young people to plug into the opportunities of the 21st century.

“You should count themselves lucky and equally work hard to achieve the set objectives of the programme. The digital skill gap in Nigeria provides an added advantage for you to secure jobs after the training.

“I am excited at what I have seen today. It forms part of the larger vision. The President said we should do everything to keep the youth busy, especially, the commitment to providing them with digital skills.

“What is happening here today, 2000 youths from across the North trained for three months and equipped with digital skills to self-start themselves, will be replicated across the states with the federal government as the driver, providing encouragement for the state governments,” he assured.

While highlighting the benefits of the programme, the Minister said: “It has first succeeded in taking the 2000 number of young people away from social vices like drug abuse, kidnapping and the likes, among other benefits.”

He further promised that the Ministry will support the program to ensure that more youths have access to the digital skills needed in contemporary time.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

1 week ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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