The Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) has announced a new collaboration with the United States-based SBTS Group LLC to address Nigeria’s digital skills gap and create thousands of job opportunities both within and outside the country. The partnership, disclosed in a statement on Monday, focuses on equipping Nigerian youth with essential digital skills to enhance global competitiveness.
The collaboration aims to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide, address its digital literacy deficit, and promote job creation through SBTS Group’s Intelligent Capacity Building Model and DBI’s established reputation as the country’s premier ICT capacity-building institution. The initiative will provide comprehensive training, infrastructure upgrades, and the establishment of Business Process Outsourcing hubs across DBI’s campuses.
According to the statement, the partnership will empower millions of Nigerians with hands-on skills that are globally competitive, ultimately boosting Nigeria’s participation in the global digital economy. The International Finance Corporation has projected that by 2030, over 230 million jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills, offering nearly 650 million training opportunities, which underscores the urgency of this collaboration.
The partnership will focus on developing advanced digital and technical skills, offering job placements both locally and internationally for trained individuals. It will also create a pipeline of skilled professionals to address Nigeria’s digital skills gap, with the establishment of tech hubs and resource centers in Lagos, Enugu, Kano, and other DBI campuses, providing a campus-learning experience for trainees.
Daser David, President of DBI, expressed optimism that the partnership would help position Nigeria as a global leader in the outsourcing market by creating high-value job opportunities. He added that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes human capital development, job creation, and socio-economic transformation. The partnership also supports the Ministry of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy’s 3 Million Technical Talent initiative, spearheaded by Minister Dr. Bosun Tijani, to make Nigeria a top exporter of digital talent.
David further emphasized DBI’s commitment to bridging Nigeria’s digital divide, saying, “By integrating Nigeria’s youth into the global technological workforce, we are laying the foundation for a thriving digital economy.” Evelyn Lewis, CEO of SBTS Group, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of addressing Africa’s digital skills gap. “By collaborating with DBI, we aim to close this gap, create jobs, and accelerate technology adoption, boosting productivity across sectors,” Lewis said.
This partnership represents a significant step toward transforming Nigeria’s digital landscape, providing young Nigerians with the tools and opportunities to succeed in the rapidly evolving global economy.
