Cisco Nigeria Prioritizes AI and Digital Skills for Youth Employment
Cisco Nigeria has recognized the imperative of adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI) and fostering digital skills development as pivotal catalysts for innovation, entrepreneurship, and job opportunities for the youth of Nigeria.
Cisco, a renowned global technology conglomerate, provides an array of skills-to-jobs programs aimed at bridging the skills gap in the workforce.
During the 14th Africa Information and Communication Technologies Alliance (AfICTA) Summit held in Abuja, Mr. Ikechukwu Ibeawuchi, Government Affairs Manager at Cisco Nigeria, articulated this vision.
The summit convened under the theme “Advancing Inclusive Economic Growth: The Role of Security, Digital Skills and Indigenous Content in Regional, National and SME Development.”
Ibeawuchi emphasized that Africa is a focal point for Cisco, particularly highlighting the continent’s youthful demographic and burgeoning interest in emerging technologies as ripe for digital transformation.
He further expounded that Cisco is collaborating with both governmental entities and the private sector to champion digital adoption, thereby equipping the youth with essential skills for active participation in the digital economy.
The increasing integration of AI among young Africans, Ibeawuchi remarked, epitomizes their innate curiosity and determination to leverage technology for crafting innovative solutions.
Cisco’s Networking Academy provides complimentary courses in cybersecurity, networking, AI, and prompt engineering, aimed at bestowing learners with pertinent skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
- “Our courses are consistently revised to align with emerging technologies and are offered at no cost to facilitate skill acquisition.”
- “Our certifications enjoy recognition in 190 nations, thus affording learners the chance to secure employment worldwide and enhance their lives and communities,” he articulated.
Ibeawuchi underscored the significance of platforms such as the AfICTA summit in bolstering stakeholder cooperation and discerning strategies to engender inclusive growth, job creation, and business advancement across Africa.
He called upon young entrepreneurs and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to prioritize data privacy and cybersecurity while embarking on their digital journeys.
According to him, the prospects offered by AI and other digital innovations must be matched with a robust understanding of the inherent risks associated with digital platforms.
Ibeawuchi lauded agencies such as the National Information Technology Development Agency, Nigeria Data Protection Commission, and National Identity Management Commission for their pivotal roles in advancing digital awareness and data protection initiatives.
He stressed the importance of NITDA’s digital literacy programs, asserting that digital education should encompass not only the functional use of technology but also the cultivation of responsible and secure digital practices.
“In encouraging SMEs and business leaders to seize opportunities within the digital economy, it is equally crucial to remind them to safeguard their data and fortify their security protocols,” he stated.
He concluded that empowering young Nigerians with relevant digital competencies, fostering innovation, and enhancing cybersecurity awareness are essential to boosting their global competitiveness and fostering sustainable economic advancement across the continent.
Source link: Nannews.ng.
