DBI, partners SBTS to create 50,000 jobs, upskill 5m youths by 2030

By Ukpono Ukpong

A new strategic partnership between the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) and US-based SBTS Group LLC aims to bridge Nigeria’s digital skills gap by creating 50,000 jobs and upskilling over five million youth by 2030.

The initiative seeks to equip young Nigerians with essential digital competencies, positioning them for opportunities in the rapidly evolving global job market.

The DBI and SBTS Group have officially announced the launch of this collaboration, set to commence in Abuja this February. The program will focus on providing specialized training in digital literacy, coding, and other high-demand ICT skills, ensuring that Nigerian youth are equipped to thrive in the digital economy.

With Nigeria’s digital sector experiencing significant growth across industries such as finance, healthcare, entertainment, transportation, and ICT, the demand for skilled professionals has never been higher.

However, a persistent skills gap has left millions of digital jobs unfilled. This partnership directly addresses the challenge by offering structured training programs that empower young Nigerians to secure employment and contribute to the nation’s economic transformation.

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Meanwhile, a significant skills gap remains, with millions of digital and ICT- related jobs going unfilled due to a shortage of qualified professionals. This collaboration, is therefore a direct effort to bridge this gap by providing advanced training in digital literacy, coding, and other high-demand skills in the labour and employment market.

The effort is in alignment with the Federal Government’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (2020-2030) and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative led by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy under the Minister, Dr. Bosun Tijani,

The partnership, according the President/CEO DBI, Mr. Daser David, seeks to upskill over five million Nigerian youth by 2030, and create about 50,000 direct and indirect jobs within a short time.

Mr. David, while emphasizing the transformative impact of the initiative said: “Nigerian youth are the catalyst for transforming our nation’s economic future. To pivot from an agriculture-dependent economy to a thriving digital landscape, they require targeted IT upskilling. This initiative bridges opportunity gaps by providing after-school programs in
digital literacy and vocational training for underserved youth, empowering them to compete in a tech-driven job market and fuelling inclusive economic growth.”

The DBI President stated that the collaboration would contribute to the government’s broader mission of fostering decent, productive, and freely chosen employment opportunities for young people, while supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s national development agenda.

He said, “The partnership between DBI and SBTS is a direct response to Nigeria’s digital skills deficit, focusing on job creation and economic empowerment. Each DBI campus will host a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) center, designed to create thousands of job opportunities for young Nigerians, enabling them to secure both local and remote employment in the global digital economy.”

Also, Evelyn Lewis, the CEO of SBTS Group, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to empowering Nigerian youth, adding, “despite the negativity and sense of hopelessness often portrayed, there are abundant opportunities for youth in Nigeria. We are excited to collaborate with DBI in advancing the Federal Government’s agenda to train and equip unemployed youth with digital skills and comprehensive ICT knowledge, empowering them for a brighter future.”

He pointed out that the training would integrate digital skills into vocational education, establish comprehensive on-the-job training systems, and engage public and private sector employers in digital job creation, adding that the initiative has already commenced with facility upgrades and training programs at DBI’s Enugu and Kano campuses, with other locations scheduled for subsequent rollouts.

Under the agreement, the SBTS Group will provide technical and financial support, ensuring that young Nigerians receive industry-relevant training that meets global standards.

The initiative also emphasizes youth-led digital entrepreneurship, providing participants with the tools to launch and scale their own businesses in the digital space.

By integrating over 400 new digital courses into training curricula and promoting hands-on learning, the DBI-SBTS partnership is set to drive economic diversification of Nigeria through ICT; while the initiative’s strong focus on digital entrepreneurship will further accelerate Nigeria’s transition into a tech-driven economy, ensuring sustainable job
creation and long-term growth.

With facility upgrades, BPO center rollouts, and nationwide training programs underway, this collaboration represents a landmark effort in positioning Nigeria’s youth for success in the global digital economy.