The NECA-ITF partnership is driving skills development to bridge gaps and boost national economic growth, encouraging graduates to become job creators through innovation and volunteering.

In Lagos, 75 participants completed a four-month NECA ICT Academy program at no cost, with daily meals and transport stipends provided.

The Lagos academy trained 75 graduates in ICT areas like artificial intelligence, data analysis, Python, cyber security, and 3D animation over four months.

The initiative is a joint effort of NECA and ITF through the Technical Skills Development Project, delivering four-month ICT training in Lagos.

Lagos State Deputy Governor Olatunbosun Alake commended NECA’s collaboration with government and industry, highlighting the value of digital skills for innovation and employment.

Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat reiterates Lagos’s aim to become Africa’s digital talent hub and to ensure residents are not left behind in the digital economy.

Hamzat underscores industry-skills alignment for progress in the AI era.

NECA’s Director-General advocates shifting Nigeria toward a dual TVET model, combining classroom learning with hands-on industry experience.

Oyerinde critiques current university licensing and supports TVET with early industry placement to build practical skills.

One graduate, Jubril Azeez Oladipupo, describes the program as life-changing and foundational for a technology career.

Akeem Dauda, Ikeja Local Government Chairman, praises NECA and ITF for equipping youths with relevant skills and urges graduates to apply them diligently to boost Nigeria’s economy.

The initiative aims to remove youths from streets and improve community safety by empowering them with employability skills.

NECA Director-General Adewale Smatt-Oyerinde notes that 95% of previous graduates have found employment or started their own ventures, and that the academy is free, with certification, logistics, and stipends to promote inclusivity.

Dr. Afiz Ogun (via Ojo Akindele) highlights the growing importance of self-learning in the AI era and urges graduates to continue building knowledge for future opportunities.

The Lagos and broader government leadership view ICT as a backbone of productivity and entrepreneurship, with mentorship, job placement, and enterprise development programs to prepare a future-ready workforce.

NECA and ITF are advancing Nigeria’s digital skills through the Technical Skills Development Project, focusing on AI, cybersecurity, 3D animation, and data analytics.

The graduation ceremony occurred on November 4, 2025, at NECA House in Ikeja, Lagos, where graduates received their certificates.

Ojo Akindele, Zonal Director of ITF, emphasizes the training’s positive impact on economy and society and urges graduates to pursue entrepreneurial paths and volunteerism to expand opportunities.