Abuja, Aug. 15, 2023 – The Federal Government is thinking outside the box to create more job openings for Nigerians.
Vice President Kashim Shettima said this on Tuesday when he received some executives of Google, a global information company, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
He said there was the need to think outside the box to get more job opportunities for Nigerians.
“Let’s think outside the box and create more job opportunities. We need to walk the talk.
“It is easy to pontificate, but very difficult to bring all of the ideas to fruition. I want to assure you, this administration is ready to partner with you.
“Nigeria is ready for business. The president that we have now wants to leave a legacy that Nigerians will be proud of many years after.”
Shettima commended Google’s N1.2 billion grant initiative for the Bola Tinubu administration’s one million jobs scheme.
Shettima said the grant of N1.2 billion to support the Tinubu administration’s digital jobs initiative was commendable and worthy of emulation by other companies.
Shettima said Nigeria had a unique opportunity to harness the potential of its huge youth population to create millions of jobs in the digital sector.
“We have more English-speaking people than many countries in Africa and beyond.
“We missed the agricultural age, we missed the industrial age and we are now in the knowledge-driven post-industrial age. We have the potential and a unique opportunity to fill the anticipated global talent deficit.
“Access Bank is doing a lot in terms of digital skills, training 1,000 youths in digital skills to create employment opportunities.
“We are working with Wema Bank, the Bank of Industry and other partners on this project. We are willing to partner with Google, we will work closely with you for the good of our nation.”
Mr Olumide Balogun, the Director of Google West Africa, said the company was excited about the Tinubu administration’s vision of creating one million digital jobs and was committing over N1.2 billion in grants to support the initiative.
He said the company, through the programme, would provide digital skills to over 20,000 youths and women to enhance and improve their lives and livelihoods, and also enable several startups grow and create thousands of jobs in the sector. (GBN)
