Google has set aside $1.6 million as a grant to help the Nigerian government create over a million digital jobs for its youth as the tech firm plans to train 20,000 youth in digital skills.
Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima told Google Africa executives that his country plans to create digital jobs during a meeting in Abuja.
“Let’s think outside the box and create more job opportunities. We need to walk the talk. It is easy to pontificate but very difficult to bring all of the ideas to fruition. I want to assure you this administration is ready to partner with you,” said Shettima.
He also said that “Nigeria is ready for business. The President that we have now wants to leave a legacy that Nigerians will be proud of many years after.”
Shettima said Google’s initiative aligned with the government’s commitment to increase youth participation in the digital economy. The government is also working with the country’s banks on the project.
Google director for West Africa Olumide Balogun said the company would commit funds and provide digital skills to women and young people in Nigeria and also enable startups to grow, which will create jobs.
Google is committed to investing in digital infrastructure across Africa, Charles Murito, Google Africa’s director of government relations and public policy, said during the meeting, adding that digital transformation can be a job enabler.
