The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has trained 160 youths from Kebbi and Zamfara states in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Analytics as part of efforts to enhance digital literacy, improve employability, and prepare young Nigerians for opportunities in the evolving digital economy.
The five-day training programme, implemented under the board’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, targeted unemployed youths and members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), with 80 participants drawn from each of the two states.
Speaking at the conclusion of the programme in Kaduna, the Programme Coordinator of RimaFin Consulting, Mr Luka Dalang, said the initiative was designed to expose participants to emerging technologies and equip them with practical skills that are increasingly in demand across industries.
According to him, the beneficiaries received training in the practical applications of AI and data analytics, including data collection, interpretation, decision-making, and problem-solving techniques that can be applied in both public and private sector settings.
Dalang explained that the acquired skills would enable participants to improve productivity, support businesses and organisations with data-driven solutions, and explore opportunities within the growing digital services sector.
“The essence is to empower them with knowledge of AI and data analytics and enable them to support government and society through technology-driven solutions,” he said.
He noted that the knowledge gained during the programme could be applied across multiple sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, education, entrepreneurship, and public administration, where AI tools and data analytics are increasingly being deployed to improve efficiency and service delivery.
Related Articles:
- NCDMB and Partners Train 100 Gombe Youths in AI and Data Analytics
- 36,000 Nigerians Youths to Be Trained in AI and Cybersecurity by Coursera
Dalang stressed that the training reflects the growing importance of digital skills in today’s economy, adding that young people must be adequately prepared to compete in a technology-driven world.
“We are living in a digital world today. There is a need for our youth to be on the same page with the rest of the world. We believe this training is timely, relevant and will have a significant impact on their future,” he added.
The initiative forms part of NCDMB’s broader commitment to human capital development and digital capacity building across the country.
In recent months, the board has launched and supported several digital skills programmes aimed at preparing young Nigerians for emerging opportunities in technology, innovation, and the knowledge economy.
Industry stakeholders have increasingly identified artificial intelligence and data analytics as critical skills for the future workforce, with organisations across sectors relying on data-driven decision-making, automation, and predictive technologies to improve performance and competitiveness.
Observers say programmes such as the NCDMB-sponsored training can help bridge the digital skills gap, particularly in underserved communities, while creating pathways for employment, entrepreneurship, and innovation among young people.
Dalang noted that the board plans to extend similar initiatives to other parts of the country. He disclosed that upcoming editions of the programme would target youths from Yobe and Gombe states in the North-East, as well as Nasarawa State in the North-Central region.
He also commended the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, for supporting initiatives aimed at expanding digital literacy and strengthening human capital development nationwide.
The latest training underscores the increasing role of public institutions in promoting digital inclusion and ensuring that Nigerian youths acquire the skills required to thrive in a rapidly changing global economy driven by artificial intelligence, data science, and emerging technologies.
Senior Reporter/Editor
Bio: Ugochukwu is a freelance journalist and Editor at AIbase.ng, with a strong professional focus on investigative reporting. He holds a degree in Mass Communication and brings extensive experience in news gathering, reporting, and editorial writing. With over a decade of active engagement across diverse news outlets, he contributes in-depth analytical, practical, and expository articles exploring artificial intelligence and its real-world impact. His seasoned newsroom experience and well-established information networks provide AIbase.ng with credible, timely, and high-quality coverage of emerging AI developments.