Lagos to train 1m residents on computer coding by 2019
The Lagos state government, through the State Ministry of Education, is set to train at least one million Lagos residents to code by 2019, foster necessary skills to create sustainable solutions to social challenges and create employment opportunities in the state.
The government also announced the commencement of the screening and selection exercise for facilitators for the programme ahead of the much-anticipated roll out of CodeLagos.
300 Coding Centers across six education districts in Lagos state will be commissioned in April 2017, marking the beginning of the CodeLagos after-school programme in both public and private schools – primary, secondary and tertiary. Centers will also be set up at State public libraries and other community spaces.
Speaking at a press briefing, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh, said that “CodeLagos will not only cultivate a savvy workforce to drive our mega-city, but it will generate employment and business opportunities as we mobilize up to 1,500 facilitators in 2017 alone.
“CodeLagos is an initiative of the Lagos State Government which aims to teach one million Lagos residents to code by 2019. The program will foster necessary skills to create sustainable solutions to social challenges and create employment opportunities.”
Bank-Olemoh also highlighted the commitment of the State Government, under Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to position Lagos State as the technology frontier in Africa stressing that it was also in line with the Lagos Smart City initiative in partnership with Dubai Smart City.
He disclosed that the application process, which is mainly online, entails a submission of bio-data and completion of a general assessment, while successful applicants will receive world-standard trainings on the necessary skills areas.
“Qualifying candidates must be available to participate in all the required trainings which would be provided by the State in collaboration with private sector partners within the technology sector.
They must also be willing to commit at least 12 hours weekly to facilitate CodeLagos courses at designated centers upon the launch of the initiative in April,” he added.
