The centres to be known as FGN/ALAT Digital and SkillNnovation Hub will open first in Lagos and Borno States with Katsina, Cross River, Anambra, Oyo, and Kano States to follow afterwards.
They will be run in partnership with a leading financial institution in Nigeria, WEMA Bank.
The arrangement for the initiative was reached after a recent meeting between representatives of the bank and Vice President Kashim Shettima in Abuja.
According to a statement by the media office of the Vice President, the strategic objectives are to empower young enterprenuers by providing them with tailored financial products, training and support to enable them build sustainable businesses that will support the growth of Nigeria’s economy.
It will also support tech-savvy youths with financial solutions, training and access to strategic partnerships; as well as empower young employees to become an integral part of the workforce in Nigeria especially those deployed through the NYSC.
The focus is on promoting entrepreneurship, skills development and the integration of young employees in the workforce.
It is particularly meant to get one million youths employed in the digital economy and upskilling SMEs who can directly add value to the country’s economy.
The one million youths will be trained in software engineering, product management, business analysis, cloud computing, and product design based on a specialized curriculum designed for the FGN/ALAT Digital and SkillNnovation Hub.
The scheme provides for mentorship of 500,000 SMEs across Nigeria to upskill them for business growth and quantum leap.
N500 million grant will be provided to SMEs and techprenuers by the Federal Government and WEMA Bank.
