In a collaborative effort with Microsoft and Meta, the MTN Foundation embarks on the sixth phase of its ICT and Business Skills training program, benefiting 3,000 ambitious young Nigerian entrepreneurs. This five-week virtual training, blending instructor-led sessions with self-paced learning, runs from September 4 to October 12, 2023.
The primary goal of this training initiative is to arm these 3,000 entrepreneurs with the essential technological and business skills vital for establishing sustainable businesses in Nigeria. Following the completion of the program, the top 300 participants will receive a share of the N90,000,000 equipment grant.
Odunayo Sanya, the Executive Secretary of MTN Foundation, emphasizes the critical importance of this training in equipping young entrepreneurs with the technological prowess necessary for business growth. She reaffirms MTN’s commitment to empowering youth in Nigeria, bridging the gap between their aspirations and the skills required in the digital realm.
Ola Williams, Country Manager of Microsoft Nigeria, highlights the pivotal role SMEs play in Nigeria’s economy, accounting for 96% of businesses and 84% of employment. He underscores the significance of providing SMEs with the digital skills essential for their growth and success.
Adaora Ikenze, Director of Public Policy, Anglophone West Africa, at Meta, emphasizes Meta’s commitment to supporting small businesses and driving economic development. Through partnerships like this with MTN Foundation, they aim to directly impact and contribute positively to the local economy.
The training modules will encompass crucial topics such as digital skills, artificial intelligence, and digital advertising. This phase targets young business owners in Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Kebbi, Niger, and Yobe State.
This initiative builds on the success of the five previous phases, which saw collaborations with prominent organizations like Oracle, KPMG, IBM, Digital Bridge Institute, CISCO, Google, Meta, and Microsoft. Since its inception, MTN Foundation has trained over 4,000 youths across 16 states in Nigeria, spanning Abia, Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Borno, Cross River, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, Lagos, Nasarawa, Oyo, and Rivers States. This ongoing endeavor underscores MTN Foundation’s dedication to fostering the growth and development of young entrepreneurs across Nigeria.
