Ogun, International Partners Engage 100,000 SMSEs and Youths

News Researcher/Ogun State Government is set to train 100,000 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMSEs), especially the youths, on emerging technologies to reach the pinnacle of the digital economy.

This will be done through GetFundedAfrica Technologies (GFAT) in partnership with Microsoft, Google and Meta.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Cybersecurity, Senator Shuaibu Salisu, who delivered the keynote speech at the official launch of the training titled, “Gateway Skills Programme”, at the Ogun Tech Hub, Abeokuta, said the empowerment would be an opportunity for SMSEs and youths aspiring to be self-reliant to equip themselves with relevant skills that would enable them upgrade to digital marketing.

Senator Salisu expressed optimism that the programme would revive Nigeria’s economic situation, saying the state had the potential to drive the programme towards achieving the desired objectives.

Also, the Special Adviser on ICT, Dayo Abiodun, said the partnership with Microsoft, Google and others was a deliberate attempt by the state government to expose small business owners and young graduates to the hidden benefits of the digital economy, urging beneficiaries to get registered, trained, certified and begin work immediately.

Meanwhile, Co-founder of GFAT, Adebowale Omololu, said the programme was designed to benefit SMEs and young graduates in Ogun State before other states by giving them the support they need to develop their careers in ICT, access funding and mentorship to grow their businesses, noting that the digital economy is the avenue for entrepreneurship.

He said: “We chose Ogun State first because Prince Dapo Abiodun has created a business-friendly atmosphere there, so we will be opening a portal where interested MSMEs can register. We will take them through various training sessions, help them scale their products and services to the tech community and access grants from international and local partners.”

“It will also provide direct and indirect opportunities to job seekers, which will boost digital marketing and increase revenue and improve the status of Ogun State in the long run.”