The new hub, Techeconomy reports, is designed to drive digital transformation, foster collaboration, and provide startups, businesses, and individuals with AI-driven solutions and workforce development programs.

Darey.io which has been operating remotely since 2021, is also partnering with the Federal Government of Nigeria under the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy.

During a pre-launch press conference on Wednesday, Dare Olufunmilayo, the founder and CEO of Darey.io and Xterns.ai, stated that the move aims to accelerate the company’s mission of bridging the digital skills gap and providing access to technology careers for individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Olufunmilayo highlighted the growing number of individuals from various sectors, including management and healthcare, seeking to transition into IT careers.

He emphasized that Darey.io empowers individuals to achieve their tech ambitions regardless of their educational background, opening doors to remote work opportunities and international employment.

The founder/CEO, explained that a key challenge Darey.io addresses is the gap between acquired skills and the practical experience required by employers.

The platform’s framework, encompassing Darey.io and Xterns, enables individuals to acquire skills, gain experience, and build a compelling digital portfolio.

According to him, Darey.io focuses on skill development, while Xterns provides a platform for practical experience through collaborative projects and industry best practices.

Speaking on Darey.io’s partnership with the government to support the Renewed Hope Agenda, Olufunmilayo reiterated the importance of the partnership in equipping millions of Nigerians with globally relevant technical skills.

The company is leveraging its technology to drive the 3MTT initiative, ensuring accessible and free training.

Olufunmilayo stressed the importance of government support in making digital skills training accessible to a wider audience.

He detailed that the platform has expanded its course offerings from its initial focus on DevOps and cloud computing to include data science, cybersecurity, product management, and AI for various industries.

Darey.io’s Xterns platform addresses the need for practical experience, allowing individuals to build a digital portfolio and demonstrate their skills to potential employers. This platform enables users to track their skills to a granular level, showcasing their proficiency and project experience.

Olufunmilayo extended an invitation to individuals from all training backgrounds to join the Xterns platform and gain valuable industry experience.

Olufunmilayo encouraged Nigerians, particularly those not enrolled in the 3MTT initiative, to visit their Yaba office and utilize the training facilities and digital resources.

He emphasized that Darey.io’s platform is accessible to individuals with varying levels of digital literacy. However, access to the Xterns platform requires successful completion of training and passing an assessment.

One of the significant challenges faced by Darey.io is the lack of infrastructure, including laptops and internet access, for many learners.

Olufunmilayo called on private sector organizations, foundations, and charities to support the company’s mission by providing resources to those in needs.

On her part, Priscilla Otukoya, Darey.io’s head of Growth and Marketing Operations, detailed the rigorous framework in place to ensure the quality of training and the seriousness of participants.

A career score algorithm tracks user engagement, project submissions, and feedback ensuring that only qualified individuals are recommended to employers.

She also emphasized the importance of the 3MTT program, and the quality of the instructors.

Otukoya reiterated that the platform’s digital framework allows for strict controls and assessments. “Those who do not meet the required career score are not recommended to employers, ensuring that only serious and qualified candidates are presented”, she said, adding that access will be removed for people who are not properly engaged with the platform, despite it being free.

These centres will concentrate on innovations in fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain technology.

The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, noted this at the IoT West Africa Conference. He outlined the focus areas for the research centres, which go beyond AI, IoT, and blockchain, to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), additive manufacturing, and robotics. 

As explained by the NITDA DG, these specialized research centres are expected to drive advancements in emerging sectors.

In addition to promoting research, NITDA plans to support Nigerian startups developing products based on these technologies. The agency aims to create innovation sandboxes where startups can develop practical applications and bring their ideas to market, supporting the growth of new businesses in the tech sector.

An important part of NITDA’s initiative includes its involvement in the federal government’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program. This initiative aims to train and empower three million Nigerians with technical skills by 2027. 

Although some of these individuals may seek opportunities abroad, their expertise will contribute to Nigeria’s global talent pool and potentially increase remittances back to the country, bolstering the economy.

During the IoT West Africa Conference in Lagos, the Managing Director of Vertex Next, Shitij Taneja, highlighted Nigeria’s prospect of becoming “Africa’s Silicon Valley.” 

Taneja noted that Nigeria’s large youth population and dynamic startup sector places the country at the fore in technology development within Africa. 

The conference underlined Nigeria’s growing importance in the tech industry, attracting huge investment and facilitating the development of IoT and other emerging technologies.

The IoT West Africa Conference, co-located with the Africa Data Center and Cloud Expo, showcased emerging technologies and reiterated the essential role of the telecoms industry in the region’s economic growth and digital adoption. 

The event accentuated Lagos’ strategic importance as a hub for technology and innovation, mirroring Nigeria’s rapid technological advancements and the striving digital economy.

Aiming to attract investors’ support in Nigerian startups, the conference further enhances the country’s standing in the global tech industry.

This significant occasion marks a major step in the country’s commitment to digital transformation and skill development.

Launched in November, the 3MTT program culminated in a grand graduation ceremony that recognized the accomplishments of the fellows.

Of the initial 784 enrolees, 377 completed the program, gaining expertise in high-demand areas such as Software Development, UI/UX Design, Data Analysis & Visualization, Product Management, Data Science, Animation, AI / Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, and DevOps.

In her opening address, Cecilia Adenusi, the co-founder and the program director HSProjects Technologies, expressed deep gratitude towards the Federal Government for its pivotal support, specifically noting the donation of 20 laptops which significantly enhanced the learning experience for the students.

The ceremony was attended by luminaries from the tech industry, including the Honourable Minister Dr. Bosun Tijani, who has been instrumental in the visionary leadership under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The event also featured insights from esteemed mentors Uloma Cynthia Okenyi and Samuel Aramide, who delivered talks on “continuous learning and internship” and “How to build your CV, Social Media handles, and WhatsApp status to attract clients,” respectively.

Another highlight was a speech by Prof. Vincent, who advised the new graduates on forging successful careers in tech, focusing on entrepreneurship and personal branding.

Prof. Vincent specifically urged the graduates to view their tech careers as businesses, encouraging them to give these ventures distinct names as a source of ongoing motivation.

This program aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader strategy, overseen by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, to create 2 million digital jobs by 2025. The initiative aims to build a robust pipeline of technical talent, critical for enhancing Nigeria’s digital economy.

As the graduates’ step into future opportunities, they carry not only advanced technical skills but also the collective hopes for a technologically empowered Nigeria.

President Tinubu’s administration has been commended for its role in providing a fertile ground for such transformative educational endeavors, setting a strong foundation for the nation’s digital future.