The Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, announced that the ministry plans to collaborate with the American Tower Corporation (ATC) Nigeria to offer youths complimentary Information and Communications Technology (ICT) training.
This announcement was made in Abuja on Friday during a courtesy visit from ATC representatives, including the Public Affairs Manager for Africa, Mr. Ehize Ilozavbie.
Dr. Bio-Ibrahim detailed the ministry’s readiness to work with ATC to enhance access for young people to the organization’s offerings.
She further explained that the ministry’s primary responsibility was to foster a conducive environment for the youth to flourish and to equip them for the 21st-century economy, echoing the emphasis President Bola Tinubu has placed on this matter during his various engagements.
- “The ministry’s major mandate is to create an enabling environment for youths to thrive and to prepare them for the 21st century economy, just as President Bola Tinubu emphasised severally during his engagements.
- “We are ready to partner with you in the area of information communication technology, which is the main area of partnership that our youths can benefit from.”
He stated:
- “ATC is committed to strengthening the telecommunications industry in Nigeria.
- “The organisation has presence in 33 states, with its skill acquisition centres designed to up-skill community members free of charge.”
He further mentioned that the organization operates over 8000 telecom towers nationwide. Additionally, he noted that approximately 98% of the organization’s facilities are powered by renewable energy sources.
He also highlighted that the organization has provided free training to at least 50,000 Nigerians at various sites across the country.
He also introduced to the minister a specific initiative of the organization, “Girls in ICT,” aimed at educating secondary school girls in ICT skills. Furthermore, he pointed out that several trainees from these programs have secured jobs internationally, due to the skills they learned.
