By Kunle Sanni
Vice President Kashim Shettima has stated that Nigeria is committed not only to catching up but surpassing global standards in economy and technology.
This statement was made on Tuesday during the launch of the AI Expertise Blockchain and Technology Training and Outsourcing Initiative in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital.
This initiative, part of Nigeria’s broader strategy for digital leadership in Africa, aims to train 1,000 Nigerians annually in cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence and blockchain.
A collaboration with the tech company Gluwa, the program was inaugurated at the Yakubu Gowon NYSC Orientation Camp, Fanisau, Dutse.
“We are not merely catching up with the rest of the world; we are poised to overtake them,” declared VP Shettima, urging Nigerian youths to seize this opportunity to join a global workforce driving future innovation.
Earlier the same day, Senator Shettima also launched the 4th edition of the Expanded National Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Clinic in Jigawa.
He revealed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to award each business owner in the state a grant of N150,000, emphasizing the federal government’s support for MSMEs across the country.
“The N150,000 grant is an outright grant that does not require beneficiaries to repay,” noted the Vice President, emphasizing the administration’s dedication to bolstering the MSME sector, which constitutes 96 percent of businesses in Nigeria and contributes over 45 percent to the nation’s GDP.
During the AI initiative launch, Shettima praised Jigawa State’s pioneering efforts in digital technology adoption, describing the program as “a homecoming ceremony for those who have eased our journey through the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
He highlighted the federal government’s vision to establish a network of tech hubs nationwide, projecting Nigeria as a leading destination for technology outsourcing.
Governor Malam Umar Namadi of Jigawa State lauded the initiative, describing it as a rare opportunity for the youth. He emphasized Jigawa’s historical commitment to ICT education, evidenced by the establishment of the state’s Informatics Institute over two decades ago.
Namadi announced the creation of a new ICT & Digital Economy Agency, aligning with both the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Jigawa’s 12-Point Agenda to prioritize digital innovation.
The day’s events also included the inspection of MSME exhibition pavilions, the commissioning of the Jigawa Retail Empowerment Shops, and several agricultural and market projects aimed at boosting local economies and enhancing infrastructure.
The ceremonies saw attendance from high-profile officials, including Governors Uba Sani of Kaduna, Nasir Idris of Kebbi, and Deputy Governors from Katsina and Sokoto States, alongside traditional leaders and dignitaries from Jigawa.
