Young Nigerians are driving the growth of Nigeria’s emerging digital economy. Over the past decade, the country has experienced its own share of the global digital revolution. This is evidenced by the rise of technology hubs and startups, the heightened investor interest in Nigeria’s technology scene, and a growing pool of young Nigerians who are constantly honing their digital skills for local impact and global relevance.

Digital Explorers is a career advancement program designed to harness the potential of Nigeria’s digital talents and create further opportunities for growth. This initiative is funded by the European Union, contracted by  the International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) through the Mobility Partnership Facility, and will be implemented by a consortium of partners including Enterprise Lithuania, AfriKo, Ventures Platform, Diversity Development Group, and Code Academy.

This program is a one year journey that will connect young Nigerian ICT specialists to Lithuania, one of Europe’s most impressive digital ecosystems. Digital Explorers will be placed in paid employment for one year in top tier Lithuanian tech companies. In addition, they will receive training and skills enhancement in emerging technologies.

Lithuania has made big strides in the development of its ICT sector with notable achievements including a thriving startup ecosystem housing over 170 FinTech companies, over 31,000 IT professionals, and over 24 global brands choosing to set up offices in Lithuania. This makes this Baltic state a hub of opportunities for young people looking to develop their digital skills and build a career.

Digital Explorers provides huge benefits for both Nigeria and Lithuania’s economy. The skills enhancement component will provide opportunities for knowledge sharing in emerging digital skills. The capacity building will nurture bilateral relations between Nigeria and Lithuania and open up cross border opportunities between both countries.

At the end of the program, participants will return to Nigeria and go through the re-integration component of the program, during which they will be encouraged to take up paid employment in Nigeria, start businesses with Nigerian and/or Lithuanian partners, work remotely for Lithuanian companies, or establish organizational branches in Nigeria. Overall, the program will not only increase participants’ prospects for rewarding professional growth but will also strengthen the technology ecosystem of both countries.

In describing the program – Kola Aina of Ventures Platform said “while skill migration is a trend we’ve been observing, the exciting thing about this program is that it deliberately includes a reintegration component which we hope will boost the level of talent, exposure and depth of experience in our ecosystem.”

The Digital Explorers program invites applications from young Nigerian digital talents comprising individuals with skills in Programming, Systems Architecture and Quality Assurance, Business Development in the IT sector, UI/UX, Digital Marketing, Graphic Design and Digital Arts.

Call for applications began on the 11th of March 2019 and will close on the 1st of April, 2019. For more information, please visit www.digitalexplorers.eu

Media Contact

Adaeze Sokan
29 Mambilla Street off Aso Drive Maitama Abuja, Nigeria
Phone: +2348097973778‬

Email: be@digitalexplorers.eu

Source: Ventures Platform Foundation

Partner Author

Get the best African tech newsletters in your inbox