The Federal Government on Wednesday unveiled a major digital skills programme aimed at turning the country’s youthful population into a global powerhouse of tech innovation and job creation.
The Connect NextGen Innovation Hackathon, launched on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, marks a key step in a partnership between the government and telecoms giant Ericsson.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, speaking through the Deputy Chief Staff Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, described the programme as integral to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s jobs agenda.
“This hackathon is not an isolated event; it is a continuation of a national strategy,” Shettima said.
“A brilliant line of code written in Abuja can power a system in Stockholm; a solution imagined in Kano can transform a farm in Kenya.”
The four-month initiative targets University students, startups and young talents, challenging them to develop solutions using 5G, AI, cloud computing, IT and sustainable tech.
NewsQuest reports that the programme builds on a 2024 memorandum of understanding with Ericsson to upskill youths, policymakers and public servants, capitalising on the nation’s status as Africa’s unicorn hub and a breeding ground for global tech talent.
Vice President Shettima emphasised Nigeria’s “demographic dividend”, with its human capital outshining natural resources.
“The current wave of the industrial revolution… is not a tide we can afford to watch from the shore. History is unkind to nations that choose the backseat.”
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh pledged the Ministry’s backing for commercialisation, competitions and research outcomes, turning agreements into “multi-billion dollar” projects.
Sweden’s Ambassador Anna Westerholm hailed Nigeria’s “talent, creativity and ambition”, praising the public-private model.
“Through the hackathon and the Educate Program, Ericsson—a private company proudly rooted in Sweden—is partnering with Nigerian institutions to equip young people… with the skills needed to navigate and lead in the fast-changing global economy.”
Ericsson Nigeria country Manager Peter Olusoji Ogundele said the event—also dubbed the AXN National Hackathon—would tackle national challenges like food security, smart cities and digital inclusion, delivering on the firm’s commitment to sustainable, energy-efficient networks.
