Firm Pushes for Focus on Tech Education

The Scholars International Institute of Technology (SIIT Africa) has called on the government to prioritize substantial investment in technological education and infrastructure, emphasizing that such efforts are crucial for empowering the youth and significantly reducing unemployment rates.

During an awareness event held at Ikeja Senior High School, SIIT Africa, in collaboration with technology experts—including Aremu Oluwagbamila, a Senior Frontend Engineer at Quidax—highlighted the importance of exposing students to the vast career opportunities within the technology sector.

Oluwagbamila pointed out that many young people remain confined to traditional career paths such as medicine, law, and accounting, unaware of the expansive possibilities technology now offers.

He explained that technological advancements have unlocked unprecedented opportunities for Nigerians to work remotely with global companies, earn foreign currencies, and create scalable digital solutions, thereby breaking geographical and economic barriers.

He also cited companies like Paystack, which have simplified international payment processes for small businesses, as examples of how tech-driven solutions are contributing to national economic growth.

However, both Oluwagbamila and Marketing Executive Adegoke Victoria expressed concerns over persistent infrastructural and educational challenges that hinder the widespread adoption of technology.

They identified poor internet connectivity, unreliable electricity supply, and the scarcity of affordable training centers as major obstacles that need urgent attention.

Oluwagbamila urged the government to invest in technology hubs, subsidize internet access, and support educational initiatives like those led by SIIT Africa, asserting that such measures could transform the future landscape of Nigeria’s tech talent pool.

Victoria reinforced this viewpoint by emphasizing that, although SIIT Africa offers flexible online courses in areas such as cybersecurity, digital marketing, and frontend development, many students remain unaware of these opportunities.

She advocated for government-sponsored technology training programs similar to free vocational courses available in tailoring and welding, arguing that such initiatives would dramatically shift public perception and engagement with tech careers.

“If the government were to say, ‘Come and learn cybersecurity, come and learn digital marketing,’ it would truly revolutionize the system,” Victoria stated.

Both speakers concluded by urging collaboration between government bodies and private technology organizations to create inclusive platforms that enable young Nigerians to thrive in the rapidly growing digital economy.

Oluwagbamila emphasized, “The youth have abundant talent; what they lack is access. It is high time the government acknowledged that investing in technology is not merely a passing trend but an essential step for national progress.”