Abuja:The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Cisco have joined forces to enhance digital skills and employment opportunities for young Nigerians. This collaboration was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the initiative, themed ‘Strengthening Pathways to Digital Skills and Employment for Young Nigerians,’ is part of the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP). This programme is a youth employability initiative by the Federal Government, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP.
UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, highlighted that the partnership aims to equip young Nigerians with digital skills, mentorship, and practical experience to foster sustainable livelihoods. The NJFP has already placed nearly 35,000 fellows with over 11,000 host organizations across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Cisco’s involvement will provide training in areas like networking, cybersecurity, data analytics, and artificial intelligence, complementing existing workplace placements. This effort is expected to boost young Nigerians’ confidence and skills for their first technical assignments.
Ms. Yolanda San Jose from the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS emphasized that digital transformation is crucial for Nigeria’s economic competitiveness. The EU has invested approximately 44 million euros in the NJFP, highlighting its commitment to strengthening links between education and employment.
Cisco’s General Manager for Nigeria and Ghana, Mr. Abdulaziz Saidu, stated that Cisco’s NetAcad has reached over one million learners in Nigeria. The company will contribute digital learning content valued at over 52.7 million dollars, targeting 50,000 learners annually over the next three years.
Senior Special Assistant to the Vice-President, Mr. Akubo Adegbe, remarked on the importance of preparing young Nigerians for a technology-driven economy. He affirmed the government’s commitment to sustaining the NJFP and ensuring it produces measurable results.
NJFP alumnae praised the initiative, noting its role in expanding employable skills and professional engagement for Nigerian youths. Cisco has facilitated access to free digital learning resources for up to 50,000 NJFP Fellows and Alumni through its NetAcad platform, coordinated by the Office of the Vice President’s Delivery Unit.