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The Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) has launched its Global Certificate Licensing Programme (GCLP) to address the nation’s crippling digital skills gap and youth unemployment. DBI is Nigeria’s premier ICT training arm of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
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The programme, themed “Empowering Talent, Certifying Excellence, Transforming Industries”, was unveiled on Tuesday at the DBI Lagos Campus, Southwest Nigeria. It aims to equip 500,000 Nigerians by 2030 with globally recognized certifications in AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. This will help position the country as Africa’s tech talent powerhouse. GCLP is a pivotal step towards bridging Nigeria’s widening digital skills gap, and ensuring greater participation in global digital economy.
Key Features of the GCLP
- Industry-Aligned Curriculum: Courses co-developed with Cisco, Microsoft, and Huawei for global relevance.
- Nationwide Access: Licensing DBI’s programs to 200+ institutions to train youths in rural and urban areas.
- Job-Linked Certifications: Focus on high-demand fields: AI (40% course allocation), cybersecurity (30%), and IoT (20%).
- Federal Backing: Aligned with the Ministry of Communications’ 2023–2027 plan to create 1 million digital jobs.
Urgent Context: Nigeria’s Skills Crisis
- 7% ICT Proficiency: Only 1.4 million of Nigeria’s 20 million youths aged 15–24 have market-ready digital skills (UNICEF).
- 50% Youth Unemployment: Palladium Group reports over 22 million Nigerian youths underemployed due to skills mismatch.
- Global Shortfall: 85 million tech jobs globally could go unfilled by 2030, costing $8.5 trillion (World Economic Forum).
The initiative is part of the Federal Government’s drive to foster digital inclusion, youth empowerment, and job creation under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Closing Nigeria’s Digital Skills Gap
In his keynote address, the President/CEO of DBI, Mr. David Daser, described the launch as a landmark step in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.
He lamented only 7% of Nigerian youths between the ages of 15 and 24 possess marketable ICT skills needed to thrive in the digital economy. This is despite Nigeria’s youthful population to go by statistics of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
Daser warned that Nigeria is at risk of being left behind in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Therefore, urgent interventions must be made to equip its workforce with globally competitive digital skills.
“The gap between the skills our youth possess and what is required by the job market must be closed. This programme is designed to provide access to industry-recognised training that will boost employability and help fill the growing skills gap in the ICT sector,” Daser said.
He cited a 2020 report by Palladium Group which revealed that over 50% of Nigerian youth are either unemployed or underemployed. This is due to the disconnect between their education and the skills required by the job market.
“Digital literacy is no longer optional. It is the minimum requirement for employment in today’s digital economy. This programme will empower our youth, improve their employability, and position Nigeria as a key player in the global digital workforce,” Daser added.
A Strategic Collaboration for Digital Transformation
The DBI Global Certification Licensing Programme was developed through extensive collaboration between the DBI, leading global tech partners, industry experts, academia, and government bodies.
DBI is licensed by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). It is leveraging strategic partnerships with technology giants like Cisco, Microsoft, Huawei, Google, and SBTS Group to offer globally recognised training in Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Cybersecurity. Also on the menu are Cloud Computing, Blockchain, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), and Digital Entrepreneurship.
The programme will enable qualified training institutions and individual trainers across Nigeria to access DBI’s curriculum. The DBI will be delivering world-class digital skills training to thousands of Nigerians across urban and underserved communities.
“This is not just about Lagos or Abuja — we are creating pathways for growth in every corner of Nigeria. Whether in Yobe, Zamfara, or Anambra, this initiative will democratise access to ICT education and empower a new generation of digital talent,” Daser said.
Industry Leaders Advocate Skills Over Degrees
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Niran Oyekale, Chairman of Commit Technology and Consult Ltd, warned that the global digital skills shortage is fast approaching 80%. There is a projected shortfall of 85 million skilled workers by 2030 — valued at $8.5 trillion in lost productivity.
“The jobs of the future will not wait for degrees — they will be filled by those who possess verifiable, globally recognised digital skills. Nigeria must act now or risk losing its demographic advantage,” Oyekale cautioned.
Echoing the same sentiment, Bankole Oloruntoba, CEO of the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre (NCIC), described the initiative as a defining moment for Nigeria’s workforce transformation.
“This programme is a game-changer. It will not only enhance employability but also foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and the emergence of a globally competitive Nigerian digital workforce,” Oloruntoba said.
Also speaking, Evelyn Lewis, CEO of SBTS Group, commended DBI for the initiative, revealing that his company was already partnering with DBI. The partnership is helping to set up Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Centres to create over 50,000 jobs for Nigerian youth in the digital services sector.
“Nigeria’s future GDP hinges on digital upskilling. The ability to extend opportunities to its youthful population to tap extensively from the over $100 billion global tech outsourcing markets, said Lewis.
Government’s Renewed Commitment to Digital Economy
The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who was represented at the event, lauded the DBI Global Certification Licensing Programme as a critical enabler of Nigeria’s digital transformation.
“This initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to building a digital workforce capable of competing on the global stage. It is not just about training — it is about creating jobs, fostering innovation, and transforming Nigeria into a global leader in ICT,” the Minister said.
Similarly, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, reiterated that the Commission will continue to support DBI in its mandate to deliver world-class ICT training and certification programmes that empower Nigerians.
Next Steps: Scaling Digital Skills Nationwide
The DBI Global Certification Licensing Programme will be rolled out in phases. The first phase is targeting 5,000 Nigerian youth and professionals across all six geopolitical zones.
The programme is expected to license qualified institutions and trainers to deliver DBI-certified training across Nigeria, particularly in underserved regions.
Participants will have access to globally recognised certifications in:
- Cybersecurity
- AI and Data Science
- Cloud Computing
- Blockchain Development
- Software Engineering
- Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)
Upon completion, successful participants will receive joint certifications from DBI and its international partners. This will enhance their employability and positioning them for global remote job opportunities.
A Bold Leap into Nigeria’s Digital Future
The launch of the DBI Global Certification Licensing Programme marks a significant step towards positioning Nigeria as a hub of digital talent in Africa.
By equipping thousands of Nigerians with globally recognised skills, the initiative is set to drive job creation. It will also foster innovation, and accelerate Nigeria’s transition to a knowledge-based economy.
“This is not just about closing the digital skills gap — it’s about creating a new generation of job creators, innovators, and global digital leaders,” Daser said.
Nigeria grapples with rising unemployment and a shifting global workforce landscape. The DBI Certification Licensing Programme offers a beacon of hope for the nation’s youth and the broader economy.
