Tech4Dev and Microsoft supports 18,000 Nigerian youths, rewards inaugural #Digitalforall Challenge winners with 3.5 million

On September 16, 2021, we launched the #Digitalforall Challenge, a free digital skilling initiative and competition designed to drive young people’s engagement in the digital economy across Nigeria, with the goal of equipping Nigerian youths with skills to enable equal access to technology-centric decent work and economic opportunities. It is a sub-program of Microsoft’s Emerging Market Model Initiative, which Tech4Dev is implementing in Nigeria.

The #DigitalforAll Challenge was divided into two parts: basic and advanced level skills training delivered over a four-month learning period, followed by a one-month competition phase (state, regional, and national). Over 17,000 youth have been successfully upskilled as a result of the challenge. Two thousand four hundred ninety (2,490) people advanced to the competition stage, which included the States, Regional, and Grand Finale levels.

Three Basic Level finalists and five Advanced Level finalists were among the eight participants who advanced to the grand finale. Nelson Didam, Ifeoluwa Odewale, and Hassan Masharazu from the basic level, and Justin Nworie, Sanni Zainab, Stephanie Agbo, and Folaranmi Adeoye from the advanced level, were the Finalists.

Joel Ogunsola, Founder/Director of Development at Tech4Dev, spoke at the #Digitalforall Grand Finale about EMMI’s campaign objectives. “The goal of the Emerging Market model, through the various programs under it, is to train 36,000 youth over the course of a year through a blended learning approach: online and physical through skill training and youth centers across Nigeria,” he said. We are achieving these goals through multi-year collaboration with the Federal Government’s Ministry of Youth and Sport, as well as state governments.”

Dr. Olufemi Adeluyi, Technical Assistant on Information Technology to the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Pantami, who delivered the keynote address, praised Tech4Dev’s work, saying, “It is mandatory that we prepare for the future of work, and equipping youths with digital skills is one sure way to do that.” So, I’d like to congratulate Tech4Dev, Microsoft, and everyone else who has contributed to this worthy cause. I believe this will serve as a model for others in the future.”

Adaeze Sokan, Country Director Uk-Tech Hub, Diran Adegoke, Program Coordinator, Young African Leadership Initiative (US Mission to Nigeria), Idongesit Udoh (pmp), Head Uk Govt. Digital Access Program (Foreign Commonwealth Development Office), and Mr. Shehu Ibrahim, General Manager ICT, Nasarawa State Government participated in the panel discussion on “The Role of Digital Literacy in National Youth Empowerment.”

Olatomiwa Williams, Country Manager Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana, spoke in her capacity as the head of the funding organization, Microsoft, and praised the efforts of Tech4dev and challenge participants. She also praised Nigerian youths and reaffirmed Microsoft’s commitment to partnerships that help people gain digital skills, saying, “We believe in the innovations that Nigerian youths create to impact our country and indeed the world, and that’s why digital skilling is important for us.” We would continue to set an example by collaborating with government, corporate organizations, educational institutions, non-profits, and everyone to ensure success in the markets in which we work.”

The Co-founder/Executive Director of Tech4Dev, who announced the winners of the #Digitalforall Challenge, brought the grand finale event to a close. Nelson Didam won the Basic Digital Skills Challenge, while Theresa Sunday, a University of Lagos Engineering student, won the Advanced Digital Skills Challenge. Both winners received one million Naira and two million Naira, respectively.

Tech4Dev is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering Africans with digital skills and advocating for access to decent work, entrepreneurship opportunities, and platforms. Our vision is to provide Africans with digital and life skills that promote economic prosperity, financial independence, and long-term development.