Lagos State unveils Eko digital skills initiative 2024, to empower youths with digital skills   

The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Tertiary Education, is set to unveil the Eko Digital Skills Initiative 2024, a one-week free digital literacy and skilling programme aimed at empowering youths in the state.

The initiative is designed not only to support students but also out-of-school graduates, aspiring entrepreneurs, and vocational artisans.

It will officially kick off on December 2nd, 2024, as part of the government’s ongoing effort to equip young people with critical skills necessary for the modern workforce.

Hon. Tolani Sule, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, highlighted the programme’s long-term goals to equip over 5,000 young people in Lagos with essential digital skills by 2030,

“The Eko Digital Skills Initiative 2024 is designed to equip over 5,000 young people in the state with the requisite digital skills by 2030, making them more employable and expanding their opportunities and capabilities,” Sule said.  

The initiative focuses on providing youths with essential digital and entrepreneurial skills, with an emphasis on practical training in critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving.

Sule stressed the importance of the programme in addressing the gap between traditional academic curricula and the evolving demands of the workplace.

“We are committed to sustaining the tempo of excellence in all state-owned institutions. 

Nigeria’s unemployment rate for the first quarter of 2024 rose to 5.3%,. The youth unemployment rate, despite a slight drop, remains alarmingly high at 8.4%.

According to Zubairu, ongoing skills development is essential for job seekers to remain competitive.

This highlights the urgent need for initiatives that can bridge the skills gap and improve employment prospects for the youth.