By 
By Osasome C.O
The Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) and SBTS Group LLC are finalising a landmark collaboration aimed at equipping Nigerians with the digital skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven world. This strategic partnership will provide financial and technical support to narrow Nigeria’s digital divide. It will also build a robust pool of highly skilled professionals across various digital and technical fields.
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SBTS Group LLC, a global leader in information technology and services headquartered in Washington, D.C., is poised to play a transformative role in Nigeria’s digital landscape. With a strong presence in countries like India, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and South Africa, SBTS has been a key player in Nigeria’s consultancy space for years. From 2025, the Group plans a physical presence in Nigeria, focusing on digital skills development, job creation, and innovation.
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The collaboration with DBI will see SBTS funding and implementing training programs that will empower thousands of Nigerians with globally competitive skills. The group is also offering job placements for the trained manpower.
A key aspect of this initiative is the establishment of tech resource centers, which will feature Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) hubs. This significantly enhances Nigeria’s participation in the global digital economy. SBTS had previously solidified this vision through a partnership with Kaduna State, aimed at accelerating the development and implementation of this critical component.
DBI: A Driving Force for Nigeria’s Digital Transformation
DBI’s commitment to fostering digital development is rooted in its strategy of forging impactful partnerships with public and private stakeholders. As Nigeria’s premier ICT capacity-building institute, DBI has been at the forefront of empowering Nigerian youth. The institute is helping bridge the nation’s digital skill gap.
According to the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) report on digital skills in sub-Saharan Africa, over 230 million jobs in the region will require digital skills by 2030. This will create nearly 650 million new training opportunities. Nigeria, with its burgeoning youth population, is positioned to account for a significant share of this demand.
Daser David, President and CEO of DBI, emphasized the importance of this partnership. “This has been an intense and productive week, hosting Mr. Evelyn Lewis, CEO of SBTS Group (TrainingSol), USA, and Mr. Abess across our campuses. This collaboration promises to unlock numerous opportunities for Nigeria’s vibrant youth eager to enroll in our programs. Together, we are building a strategic framework to implement a partnership that will transform lives,” he stated.
Bridging the Digital Skills Gap
The skills gap in Nigeria remains a critical barrier to realizing the full potential of its digital economy. Millions of jobs in the emerging economy will require not just basic digital literacy but intermediate and advanced technical skills. The collaboration between DBI and SBTS is designed to address these challenges comprehensively.
Evelyn Lewis, CEO of SBTS Group, highlighted the urgency of the initiative. “Africa faces a significant digital skills gap and low technology adoption. This limits productivity and job creation, particularly in advanced sectors. The public sector also struggles to keep up with rapid technological advances. Our partnership with DBI will directly address these issues by training people and creating jobs. All of these align with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Tinubu.”
Catalyzing National Digital Transformation
The Tinubu administration has prioritized digital skills as a critical enabler of national development. By integrating youth into the technological workforce, this partnership seeks to fast-track the socio-economic transformation of Nigeria.
“Job seekers with digital skills have significantly greater success in securing employment, which is why this collaboration is crucial,” Daser added.
A Vision for the Future
The partnership between DBI and SBTS Group goes beyond training programs. It envisions a future where Nigeria’s youth are fully integrated into the global digital economy. By combining DBI’s local expertise with SBTS Group’s international experience, the initiative seeks to create a sustainable pipeline of skilled professionals capable of driving innovation and growth across various sectors.
Daser David encapsulated the transformative potential of this partnership. He said “this collaboration champions a broad and concentrated approach to address skill challenges among young people, accelerating their socio-economic transformation. By developing skilled professionals, we’re not just building careers; we’re building the foundation for a thriving digital economy.”
Unlocking Nigeria’s Potential
For Nigeria to fully harness the benefits of a digital economy, significant investment and innovative partnerships are required. The DBI-SBTS alliance exemplifies the kind of collaboration needed to close the digital skills gap and unlock opportunities across the nation.
With this initiative, Nigeria is not just preparing for the future—it is actively building it.
