The Edo State Government has announced a digital skills initiative in partnership with Google, aimed at training 800 students with advanced technology competencies in different fields.
Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, announced this in a statement on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, noting that the training will expose students to high-demand skills in the global workspace.
“We are introducing the Advanced Job Ready Tech Programme in conjunction with Google,” Iyamu stated. “It is to give Edo students opportunities in the global work space. It is a strategic programme designed to prepare Edo students for the global digital space.
Iyamu added that the programme forms part of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda, which seeks to prepare Edo youths for opportunities in the rapidly evolving digital economy.
What You Should Know
Highlighting the urgency of preparing Edo youths for the global job market, Dr. Iyamu explained that the initiative is structured to immerse participants in specialised, high-demand technology fields that are shaping the future of work worldwide.
“The programme is in partnership with Google to train 800 students in relevant skills. The aim is to make the students be at par with their colleagues globally,” Iyamu said.
According to Iyamu, the training will cover specialised areas such as:
- Data Science
- Data Analysis and Visualisation
- Data Architecture
- Geospatial Data Science
- Computer Vision
- Natural Language Processing
- Advanced Machine Learning Techniques
These courses, Iyamu noted, are strategically selected to align with sectors projected to experience the highest growth in the coming years.
Access and Inclusion for All Edo Students
To ensure inclusivity, the programme is open to Edo students both within and outside the state. Iyamu said participants without personal computers can access free laptops at the Edo Digital Hub in Benin City, where they will also have internet facilities to join the sessions.
He added that the initiative includes career fairs, internships, and job placement support to help graduates transition smoothly into the workforce.
“There will be a career fair, internship, job placement and skills gained would lead to direct income, employment, and career advancement. The students will also have the opportunity to earn in dollar while working,” Iyamu said.
Tapping into a Global Opportunity
The World Economic Forum estimates that over 37 million new jobs will be created in the digital sector in the near future. According to experts, Edo State is positioning its youth to claim a share of this growth.
Across Nigeria, several states are also launching ambitious digital skills initiatives. In Abia State, the government recently introduced a digital literacy programme, targeting youths across its three senatorial districts.
Sokoto State’s Ministry of Innovation and Digital Economy is also training young people in areas such as computer literacy, social media marketing, and AI applications, with plans to scale the programme to 10,000 participants in the near future.
States like Oyo, Kwara, and Plateau are also going a step further by building large-scale innovation hubs and training youths in different tech fields, positioning the states as a hub for technology innovation and development.
According to industry leaders, these programmes show a nationwide momentum to prepare Nigerian youths for the demands and opportunities of the global digital economy.
Talking Points
It is impressive that Edo State is not just talking about digital transformation but taking concrete steps. By moving early, the state is positioning its youths to be part of a global workforce, not just local job markets.
At Techparley, we see the decision to partner with Google as a smart move that immediately raises the credibility and quality of the training.
The focus on high-demand fields like data science, natural language processing, and advanced machine learning ensures that Edo graduates can compete on an international stage.
The inclusion of career fairs, internships, and job placement support also means this is more than just a training programme, it’s a talent pipeline. That’s a big differentiator from many initiatives that stop at classroom learning.
However, scale will matter. Sustained investment, curriculum updates, and private-sector collaboration will be critical to keep the programme relevant and impactful.
With the right execution, Edo’s Advanced Job Ready Tech Programme could become a model for other states and a launchpad for young Nigerians into the global digital economy.
