Expert Charges Lawmakers to Prioritize ICT Capacity Building for Youths

As the increased pace of globalization and technological advancement is expanding the digital divide gaps between Nigeria and other countries, prioritizing capacity building efforts has become more necessary than ever if Nigeria hopes to benefit from the digital era.

As a matter of fact, capacity building and skills development are integral to harnessing the transformative potential of the ongoing development and increasing sophistication of information and communication technologies (ICT) in Nigeria and the globe.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reveals Nigeria’s unemployment rate as at the second quarter of 2020 is 27.1% indicating that about  21,764,614 (21.7 million) Nigerians remain unemployed.

Business Remarks gathered that the worst-hit are Nigerian youths with over 13.9 million currently unemployed.

More data revealed that the youth constitutes about 53.57% of the total Nigerian population.

It is in this regard, the Executive Director, Sidmach Technologies, Mr Olajide urged the members of the National Assembly to change their mode of disbursing dividends of Democracy.

According to him, times have changed and be it as it may, we all need to embrace the change.

Olajide stressed that this type of investment will go a long way in attracting foreign investors because digital transformation is the future.

In his words, “Instead of buying tricycles, bicycles, motorcycles, sewing machines and other items, investment in training young people in IT should be a priority.

“Digital economy is the future of Nigeria and also the future of our young people.”

Supporting his stand, he challenged the lawmakers – House of Representatives and Senators – on the need to take up the initiative.

“A trial for two years should be carried out and let’s measure or evaluate the impact.  They will realize they will be impacting more people than they are currently doing.”

Speaking further on motives, the Sidmach Technologies Boss noted that the members of the National Assembly give out vocational training tools in a way to win votes during their elections.

ALSO READ: Companies Embarking on ICT Research Mechanisms Should be Supported to Deepen Nigeria’s Software Solutions – Michael Olajide

On his part, he emphasized that building youth capacity in ICT will drive more positive impact, gaining votes and support inclusive.

“I sympathize with them, anyway. This is because they give the sewing machines to those who will queue and vote for them. A lot of educated people will not go out to vote. But, if they organize this type of training, they can even get more votes through them because they will surely mobilize other people to vote with their education and technology.

 

“I call on and encourage our people in the National Assembly to change their dividend of democracy focus on giving training in IT. Then the whole idea of the seven pillars will be actualized. Because the main pillar in the seven pillars  is the people,” Olajide addressed.