…Lagos assures sustainable employment through ‘Empower Lagos Initiative’
By Omolola Dede Adeyanju
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), United States Consulate General, the Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment and other industry players have converged at the Global Tech Africa Conference to drive economic development in Africa.
The three-day conference held in Lagos, themed: Facilitating Investment in Africa: Global collaboration, Local transformation, which commenced from Wednesday to Friday featured a wide range of discussions and sessions to Foster Public-Private Partnerships for Africa’s Tech Growth.
According to the Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, ably represented by the Director, Corporate Planning and Strategy, Dr Aristotle Onumo, in his address for Day 2, reiterated NITDA’s commitments for a continuation to leverage on the immense possibilities that lies within the intersection of technology, innovations and economic development.
He examined the special sessions featured in the conference, especially the Women series held to celebrate women in the tech industry, which he regarded as a platform for women to engage in discussions solely aimed to boost technology advancement and women involvement in Tech. He recognized other sessions for analysis on funding tech startups, the Edtech Roundtable and the empowering workforce: addressing Talent Crisis session amongst others.
Meanwhile, Executive Trustee, COO, Future Map Foundation, Ahmad Shuaibu, noted that there used to be a general mindset that regulators stifle innovations while regulators believe that entrepreneurs disrupt the laid down structures, however, he said, “The most important thing is for us to have a collaboration, a platform where every player comes together to discuss.”
“There are major challenges in the digital skill gap in Africa, we want to be able to educate ourselves as the generation that will serve the people in terms of jobs and human Resources.”.
Shuaibu, therefore urged that the theme for the conference resonates with all participants
Furthermore, the Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Wealth creation and employment, Lagos state, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe in his presentation of ‘Empower Lagos and Stakeholders Summit’ made an evaluation according to the Lagos State economic planning and budget, he said ‘From the age of 15 to 35 in Lagos population is 60 percent and unemployment rate of 37.14 percent.
“Now,” he said, “we decided to introduce ‘Empower Lagos’, which is encompassing. The initiative aims to address critical unemployment issues and skills gaps amongst small and medium scale businesses in lagos state, provide suitable and sustainable solutions to boost employment and growth of the economy, create sustainable wealth for a minimum of ten thousand beneficiaries across all industries with adequate measures put in place to ensure each beneficiaries train at least ten individuals.”
“The government has been bringing up Programs, the question is ‘how sustainable have they been? Hence this program is not only to skill up people but to help ensure sustainability and increase in employment. Beneficiaries will be trained on data analysis and development, Artisans empowerment skills and Entrepreneurship skills and given laptops for free.
“This is one of the strategies established by Lagos to discourage ‘Japa’ syndrome. With the skills, you can stay in Nigeria and be employed overseas,” the Commissioner added.
Also, the Commissioner for Innovations, Science and Digital, Ekiti state, Hon. Seun Fakuade, in his keynote address revealed the state’s plan towards building a digital economy, turning human capital to prosperity capital. He revealed that Ekiti state economy is currently at 3.5billion USD as at 2021 however due to the inception of the 80 Million USD investment on the Ekiti state ‘Knowledge Zone’, the state’s economic prospect for the year 2034 is estimately 30 billion USD.
Co. Founder, Kryptr, Dr. Emmanuel Tarfa, in his keynote session explained that the reason why many are jobless is their inability to understand job roles and job descriptions encapsulated in two objectives of employment; Problem solving and Value Creation. He complained that even most chartered accountants cannot make simple business analysis and connect to strategy in the business plan and that doesn’t mean they weren’t taught.
He therefore briefed that the problem in the industry for employment is a fundamental Problem which is; the inorderliness of the curriculum required to succeed and the attitude and posture to take in receiving the competence because it may come from a horrible or strict person
However, on a panel session setted to address Africa’s Talent Crisis, the country’s head of people and culture, Jobberman, Samantha Ifezulike submitted that there is a major talent crisis in the country as there is a very large skill gap because people are not investing in themselves. She ascertained that the low skilled job seekers also come with a lot of entitlements in mind without the right skill or expertise. Hence, she revealed, ‘I can’t give you a remuneration that doesn’t match the value you bring to my business or investment’
In the Women Series session, the SA to the DG, NITDA, Ms Iklima Musa, elucidated that “empowering women isn’t just for gender equality but a critical strategy for Africa’s growth and development. The women in tech in Africa is still about 30 percent.”
She stated the importance of having an economy of both genders and the necessity for more women to start taking advantage of the Tech industry.