by Aluko Gladys
Participants in the technology sector recently gathered in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, for a digital conference organized by Get Bundi Education Technology. The event, themed “Education Skills: Africa’s Path to Growth”, is seen as the best way to close Africa’s digital skills gap and spread the ability of young Africans to participate in the emerging digital economy. The event was attended by Kashifu Abdullahi Inuwa, Director General of the National Research Development Agency (NITDA) and Dr. Aristotle Onuro Barr, Minister of Women’s Affairs. Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, representative; The Get Bundi team is led by founder/CEO Barr. Osita Oparaugo; Deputy Director/Commercial Director, Nigeria, Canadian High Commission, Zaya Kuyena Dindembolo, etc. NITDA Director General, in his speech at the event, emphasized the importance of training Nigerian youth in digital skills and said that the organization has developed plans to support Nigeria’s progress by reaching 70% digital literacy by 2027. This target is 3 million skills per year. “As the global economy undergoes a digital transformation, the need for employees who can master digital knowledge and the skills provided by these new technologies is increasing. It is an important opportunity for countries, especially Nigeria, to invest in their youth and create Digital Growth competitive advantage in the global economy.Presenting NITDA’s Strategic Plan and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) in a Powerpoint presentation, Inuwa said the agency’s priority is to develop skills, skills and ecosystem research; Access to digital tools and services; strengthening cybersecurity and increasing digital trust; The Minister of Women’s Affairs praised Get Bundi for setting up an online forum and said it would help address gender inequality while creating a digitally smart society. Dindembolo, Deputy Director/Business Director, Canadian High Commission in Nigeria, said digital education is important in driving the ecosystem and praised Get Bundi for its efforts in digital education.Barr, founder/CEO of Get Bundi Education Technology, previously spoke about the theme of the event. Osita Oparaugo said digitalization has attracted widespread attention and plays an important role in building the economy and supporting global economic growth. As a result, there is a growing need for digital skills, from basic digital skills to the digital skills required to participate in the global deployment of digital business, with governments around the world making digital skills part of their digital agendas. “However, the African continent, facing the rapid transformation of the digital frontier, lacks technological skills compared to other parts of the world. In 2022, African countries’ Digital Skills Gap Index scores range from 1.8 to 5. This is below the six world averages. In addition, a 2023 World Bank report showed that only 50% of African countries include computer skills in schools, compared to 85% globally. Manager Get Bundi on education experts and preparing for today’s workplace said young Africans need to acquire digital skills early to compete with their peers in the global market, which can make them useful as they prepare for the global market. “This is important as the International Finance Corporation says there will be approximately 230 million unequal jobs with digital skills in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030; male young African girls need to be provided with relevant digital skills,” he explained.Designed to promote women’s digital education as part of an effort to close the gender gap in Africa’s technology sector, the program aims to train 1,000 female mothers in website development and data analysis in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs. Funding is provided to 300 Women from Africa. Seeking support for its Tech Sis 2024 initiative, which will launch in July to unlock a future where Americans, regardless of their background, have the tools and resources to succeed in digital marketing. Ms. Get Bundi Education School Principal, Juliet Ijei, in her welcome speech, said the platform aims to change the education landscape in Nigeria and Africa and help the next generation succeed in the dev