Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida (centre) flaned on the right by the Director General, NITDA, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa, and on the left by Managing Director, NWDC, Prof Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji shortly after a high-level meeting in Abuja to provide digital skills training for youths in the seven states of the North-West geopolitical zone.

The Nigerian Communications Commission NCC, is currently rallying stakeholders comprising the National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA, and the North West Development Commission NWDC, towards providing digital skills training for youths in the seven states of the North-West geopolitical zone in Nigeria.

To achieve this, the three agencies have entered into a strategic partnership, which was sealed during a high-level meeting held in Abuja and attended by the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, the Director General of NITDA, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa and the Managing Director of the NWDC, Prof. Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji.

It was gathered that the three agencies agreed to pull resources together, deploy their infrastructure, and technical expertise to implement a jointly managed digital capacity-building programme designed to equip thousands of youths with in-demand technology skills.

Details of the agreement show that the NCC will provide training facilities, while NITDA will contribute its technical expertise, curriculum, and certification framework under the initiative.

The programme which would feature an intensive learning model combining classroom-based instruction with online training would also ensure that participants acquire practical digital competencies.

The tripartite agreement is also expected to boost the capacity of the youths in the seven states that make up North-West zone with a view to gaining employment and also support efforts to stimulate innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth of the region.

Speaking on the partnership, the trio noted that the initiative would further boost their commitment towards human capital development, while emphasising that digital skills acquisition remains a critical pathway to unlocking the North-West’s economic potential as well as preparing its youthful population for opportunities in the digital economy.

The initiative, according to the three agencies signposts Federal Government’s commitment to fast-tracking digital inclusion, build a technology-driven workforce, and position the North-West as a hub for innovation and sustainable development of the region’s economy.