Tech industry stakeholders have pushed for increased funding to support the education of young Nigerians in digital technology.
The Times reported that top panelists and speakers at Tekifest’23, a gathering of tech enthusiasts focused on examining the future of work, technology, innovation, and tech excellence, made this call on November 29 at The Zone, Gbagada in Lagos.
Tekisite, a non-profit organization that trains teenagers in digital technology skills in suburban communities, organized an event titled “The Future of Jobs: Talent Pipeline Investment.” The event’s theme was “Taking Advantage of the Growing Global Interest in Tech Talents.”
Speaking at the occasion, Tekisite team lead Miss Salawu Faizah stated that such large-scale discussions were essential at a time when Nigeria is beginning to establish itself online in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said that this also matched the late community founder, Mr. Abass Oyeyemi’s vision, which prompted the need for a discussion aimed at finding answers for talent pipeline investment in Nigeria.
She said, “He talked about Tekifest all the time, but he never wavered in his commitment to ending social vices like cybercrime and giving teens the tools they need to succeed in the fast-paced world of technology.”
Tekisite’s Academy Director, Miss Rosheedah Balogun, offered her perspective as well, saying, “The passing of our founder has strengthened our resolve to carry on his mission. We are dedicated to nurturing a generation of tech-savvy individuals who will drive innovation and positive change.”
One of the keynote speakers at the event and the founder of Digital Evolution, Mr. Scott Eneje, stated that the government must work together more and that action is now more important than ever.
Speaking at a panel discussion regarding talent pipeline investment, Mr. Owosho Adeola of Growth Lead observed that there is a bright future ahead for tech talent with the newly appointed Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Mr. Bosun Tijani, in charge of matters.
“We have seen the latest initiative to train three million tech talents as a positive move, and I am bullish on the new minister. More concepts like this one give me hope that Nigerian tech talent will be able to compete on a global scale.
The senior performance marketing manager at YellowCard, Mr. Temitayo Sadique, stated that “the workforce needs to be redefined. We must accept that the world is changing and that we are living in a digital age.”
He was echoed by the CEO of Octo Dsgn and Head of Community at Fullgap, Mr. Temidayo Olalekan, who said, “We need to change our perspective and approach to how we do things in this country. The way we operate must change, and given that Nigeria’s population is expected to double by 2030, the approach on how we do things as people, businesses, and even for the government needs to change. We need to dump the old model and dive into the new model.”
The event also included the honouring and recognition of exceptional people, groups, and initiatives that have significantly advanced humankind through the use of technology.
