- Nigeria Must Prioritize Digital Skills to Secure $11bn Annual Growth – SSC ICT Council Urges Stakeholders
- Galaxy Backbone Urges Urgent Skills Revolution in Digital Age
THE DIGITAL Bridge Institute (DBI) on Tuesday marked its 21st anniversary with a grand celebration, as its President and CEO, Mr. David Daser, delivered a stirring welcome address, reflecting on the institution’s journey and outlining ambitious plans to position Nigeria as a leader in digital innovation.
Held on Tuesday at the Auditorium, Communications and Digital Economy Complex, NCC Annex Office, Mbora District, Airport Junction, Jabi-Abuja under the theme: “Preparing Today’s Workforce for Tomorrow’s Market,” the event brought together dignitaries, industry stakeholders, faculty, students, and alumni to commemorate DBI’s legacy and its pivotal role in shaping Nigeria and Africa’s digital economy.
A Legacy of Excellence
In his address, Mr. Daser paid tribute to DBI’s founding in 2004 by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as a Centre of Excellence for ICT and telecommunications training.
Daser recalled the institution’s commissioning by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and acknowledged the visionary contributions of pioneers such as the late Alhaji Ahmed Joda and Engr. Ernest Ndukwe.
“DBI was built on the belief that digital knowledge is transformative,” Daser stated, adding: “Today, we celebrate not just an institution, but a movement that has empowered thousands of professionals across Nigeria and beyond.”
Recent Achievements and Strategic Partnerships
Highlighting key milestones since assuming office in September 2024, Daser outlined DBI’s recent accomplishments, including a partnership with Small Business Training Solutions (SBTS) Group to expand digital learning infrastructure; the launch of the DBI Global Training Partner Program in Lagos; collaboration with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction on nationwide training programs; and the commissioning of the Information Access Centre (IAC) by Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.
Daser also announced his recent appointment as Chairman of the Digital Literacy Technical Working Group by the Federal Government through NITDA, reinforcing DBI’s leadership in digital education.
Ambitious AI Training Initiative
Looking ahead, Daser revealed DBI’s bold plan to train five million Nigerian workers in Artificial Intelligence (AI) over the next three years, in partnership with the NCC, the Federal Government, and global stakeholders.
“Nigeria must not lag in the AI revolution,” he declared. “We call on all government agencies, state leaders, and private sector partners to join us in this mission.”
Overcoming Challenges, Renewing Vision
Daser acknowledged past institutional challenges, including financial constraints and infrastructural decline, but emphasized DBI’s resilience.
“Even in difficult seasons, we recalibrated with resolve,” he said. “Today, we stand on a strong foundation, ready to bridge the digital divide.”
Gratitude and Forward Momentum
The CEO extended appreciation to DBI’s staff, students, alumni, and the NCC for their unwavering support. He particularly commended the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, for his commitment to innovation and capacity development.
“To our students: be bold, be curious. To our faculty: thank you for shaping future leaders. To our partners: your collaboration fuels our purpose,” Daser remarked.
A Future of Digital Leadership
As DBI steps into its next decade, Daser reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to fostering a workforce equipped for tomorrow’s challenges.
“The future is not just bright — it is solid. Together, we will ensure Nigeria leads in the global digital economy,” he said.
The event concluded with a resounding cheer: “Happy DBI Day! Long live Nigeria’s digital future!”
Nigeria Must Prioritize Digital Skills to Secure $11bn Annual Growth – ICT Council Urges Stakeholders”
Meanwhile, the Sector Skills Council for Information and Communications Technology (SSC ICT) used the anniversary to make a call for urgent stakeholder collaboration among government, industry, and academia to bridge Nigeria’s widening digital skills gap, warning that failure to act could cost the economy $11 billion annually in lost growth opportunities.
The SSC ICT is an industry-led body tasked with aligning Nigeria’s workforce training with global digital economy demands.
In a keynote address, delivered by Chukwuemeka Gerald Okafor, on behalf of the SSC ICT Chairman, Mr. Shola Oshilaja, highlighted Nigeria’s digital transformation journey — from less than 5% mobile penetration in 2004 to an 85% rate today — while stressing that the workforce must evolve to keep pace with rapid technological advancements.
From Digital Divide to Digital Opportunity
Okafor recounted the story of Adebayo, a 2004 engineering graduate whose career was salvaged by DBI’s skills training — a metaphor for Nigeria’s broader potential.
“DBI has not just trained individuals; it has trained a mindset,” he said, applauding the institute’s role in aligning Nigeria’s workforce with global tech demands.
However, with emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, and IoT reshaping industries, Okafor warned that Nigeria risks falling behind without systemic intervention.
Citing World Economic Forum projections, he noted that while 85 million jobs may disappear globally by 2027, 97 million new roles will emerge — requiring agile skills development.
Galaxy Backbone Urges Urgent Skills Revolution in Digital Age
In his keynote address anniversary celebration, Mr. Akintayo Ayodele Bamise, Group Head of Research, Digital Innovation & Skills at Galaxy Backbone, issued a stark warning: Without urgent reskilling and systemic workforce reforms, nations risk being left behind in an era of rapid technological disruption.
Speaking on the anniversary theme (Preparing Today’s Workforce for Tomorrow’s Market), Bamise stressed that AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity advancements are reshaping industries faster than traditional education systems can adapt.
He emphasized that bridging the skills gap is no longer just an educational concern but a critical economic survival strategy.
Citing the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2020, Bamise noted that 50% of employees globally will require reskilling by 2025 — a figure expected to be even higher in ICT-driven sectors.
In Nigeria, where youth unemployment hovers at 53%, he warned that failure to act could turn a “demographic dividend into a demographic disaster,” fuelling instability and lost opportunities.
“We are at a pivotal moment,” Bamise declared. “The workforce designed for yesterday’s economy cannot meet tomorrow’s demands. Without intervention, innovation will outpace implementation, leaving talent as a bottleneck rather than a bridge.”
To address these challenges, Bamise proposed the Future-Proof Economy (FPE) Model, a five-pillar framework:
- Foundational Digital Literacy – A baseline requirement for all.
- Industry-Aligned Technical Skills – Focused on AI, cybersecurity, and data analytics.
- Global Certification – Standardizing qualifications to international benchmarks.
- Entrepreneurial Training – Fostering self-reliance and innovation.
- Lifelong Learning Systems – Ensuring continuous skill development.
He called for multi-stakeholder collaboration between governments, businesses, and educators. He said governments must modernize curricula and invest in vocational training, while he proposed that academic institutions should integrate industry certifications and digital skills across disciplines.
Businesses must shift from degree-based to skills-based hiring and invest in upskilling, he advised noting that individuals must embrace continuous learning to remain competitive.
Highlighting success stories, he pointed to Galaxy Backbone’s GBB Academy, which he said has trained thousands in cloud computing and cybersecurity, and state-level programs equipping youths with technical and entrepreneurial skills.
Bamise concluded with a rallying cry: “The future belongs to those who prepare for it today. This isn’t just about policy — it’s about people, prosperity, and progress.”
Quoting Klaus Schwab, he warned, “It’s not the big fish which eats the small fish; it’s the fast fish which eats the slow fish.”
The anniversary celebration also featured panel discussion on the theme with panellists offering insightful interrogation of the multidimensional dynamics in the ICT world.
