Launched on Saturday, March 15, 2025, the co-working space was built in collaboration with the federal government’s Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program.

Over 100,000 learners are already engaged, and with a vision to train millions of tech talents, this initiative is an aggressive drive to leverage a Proof-of-Skills Hiring model for digital economic growth across the country.

According to the keynote speaker, Francis Sani, technical adviser for Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Capital to the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the country has the largest youth population in Africa and a median age of 16 years, compared to 38 in the U.S. and 46 in Japan. This is an unmatched advantage in the drive for global tech competitiveness.

However, access to quality training and employment pathways has been a major challenge. “We have the talent, we have the ambition, but we must scale up digital skills to compete globally,” he said.

The XTERNS Hub aims to bridge the gap between learning and earning, ensuring that graduates are not just trained but also integrated into the workforce.

Dare Olufunmilayo, founder of Darey.io, said: “No one has to wait to be hired; our system ensures talent proves itself before stepping into an interview.

“Thousands of Nigerians have started their careers through Darey.io, working for top global companies, launching startups, and creating groundbreaking solutions. Xterns.ai is our next big leap—where we don’t just train talents; we integrate them directly into the workforce through our Proof-of-Skills Hiring model.

This is why today’s theme—Tech & Tea: Brewing Nigeria’s Technology Innovation Future—is so important. It reflects our belief that, just like brewing the perfect tea, building a thriving digital economy requires the right ingredients: talent, innovation, and collaboration,” Olufunmilayo explained.

One of the limitations to digital innovation in Nigeria has been infrastructure, particularly internet access. However, Nigeria is currently working to ensure a fibre optic uprising.

“We are currently at about 35,000 kilometres of fibre. The $2 billion broadband expansion project will add 90,000 kilometres more in the next two years,” Sani revealed. “This will position Nigeria as one of the top 10 countries globally in internet penetration.”

This will also help connect remote areas, ensuring that tech talent from across the country can participate in the digital economy.

Tech Without Tools?

Another challenge has been hardware accessibility. Many aspiring tech talents lack basic laptops, which are now priced at an average of ₦500,000.

To address this, Darey.io is launching the Dare Olufunmilayo Human Capital Foundation, aimed at providing laptops and stipends to learners.

“We need the private sector to step up,” Olufunmilayo stated. “Government alone cannot do this. We must collaborate to give young people the tools they need to succeed.”

AI, Automation, and the Job Market

With AI, the nature of work is changing. Olufunmilayo and Sani stressed that Nigeria needs to move from being a technology consumer to a producer.

“The world will look very different in five years,” Sani stated. “This is another Industrial Revolution. The question is; will Nigeria be on the side of consumers or creators?”

To place the country on the right side of history, XTERNS.ai is incorporating AI-powered project-based learning to ensure graduates gain real-world experience rather than just theoretical knowledge.

With 5000 learners trained in four years and a 100,000+ talent pipeline already in motion, Darey.io and XTERNS.ai are scaling operations with speed. 

The next target is 3 million trained professionals, a goal that will require government support, private sector investment, and international collaboration.

“We are not out of the race; we are exactly where we need to be,” Sani said. “Nigeria has the ambition, the talent, and now, the infrastructure. This is our moment.”

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.