The Federal Government has inaugurated a Joint Implementation Committee to plan a National Digital Literacy Conference and oversee the training and certification of one million Nigerians in digital and emerging skills.
The committee’s work supports Nigeria’s target of reaching 95 percent digital literacy by 2030 under the national digital economy agenda.
The committee was inaugurated in Abuja by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, represented by Permanent Secretary Ibrahim Kana, during the launch of the ClergyWealth Digital Skills Nigeria (SkillUp) Initiative.
Kana described the move as a major step in deepening digital literacy, building human capital and driving inclusive digital transformation in line with government priorities.
He stressed that the SkillUp Initiative, run under the Future Proof Economy Model, is completely funded and implemented by ClergyWealth Cooperative Society Limited, with no financial commitment from the Federal Government.
He clarified that the programme is fully privately sponsored and that government bears no budgetary obligation for its execution.
The Joint Implementation Committee is expected to provide leadership, coordination and oversight for the conference and for delivering the training and certification of one million Nigerians.
Its terms of reference include ensuring policy alignment, coordinating stakeholders at federal and state levels, setting up monitoring and evaluation systems and promoting inclusion for youth, women, underserved communities and persons with disabilities.
Members of the committee are drawn from the Office of the SGF, key federal ministries, TETFund, NITDA, states, the Federal Capital Territory, ICT professional bodies, NGOs and ClergyWealth.
Named members include the chair, Ibrahim Kana, as well as Zainab Abubakar, Ebi, Ifeanyi Okereke, Joe Odoh, Mohammed Tambuwal, Rosemary Osikoya and Grace Amaefule, among others.
Deputy National Coordinator of ClergyWealth Cooperative Society Limited, Rosemary Osikoya, said the SkillUp Initiative will train one million Nigerian youths for remote work and global technology opportunities through practical digital literacy and internationally recognised certification.
She explained that each training batch will run for about six months, covering six modules, and successful participants will take international certification exams and receive personal computers to support their work.
Osikoya added that the programme targets clergy, civil society leaders, rural dwellers and youths across all faiths, and complements ClergyWealth’s artisan empowerment schemes, microcredit support and access to a global job portal.
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