The Nigerian Senate has passed for second reading a bill requiring students in secondary and tertiary institutions to acquire technical skills before graduating. The bill, titled “Strengthening Career and Technical Training Bill, 2024,” was sponsored by Senator Sani Musa, who represents Niger East Senatorial District. Musa said the legislation aims to prepare students for employment and entrepreneurship by addressing the gap between education and industry demands. “Many of our educational programs are theoretical and do not equip students with practical, market-relevant skills,” Musa said. “Nigeria risks falling behind in the global economy if we do not invest in building a highly skilled, competitive workforce.” He added that the bill would focus on training for high-demand sectors such as ICT, renewable energy, biotechnology, manufacturing, healthcare, and agribusiness. It also proposes partnerships between educational institutions, industries, and government agencies to ensure effective training. The bill also proposes a framework for funding and monitoring technical training programs. Under the plan, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labour will collaborate to design training initiatives targeting high-growth sectors like ICT, renewable energy, manufacturing, healthcare, and agribusiness. Musa’s push for change comes as unemployment rates in Nigeria remain alarmingly high, with many graduates struggling to find work despite the nation’s potential as a hub for emerging industries. The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labour would be tasked with developing the programs and overseeing their implementation. The Senate will continue discussions on the bill in the coming weeks.
World Bank says AI can save $2 trillion in net-zero transition costs
The World Bank has announced that Artificial Intelligence could cut the capital costs of transitioning to a net-zero economy by up to $2 trillion. The statement was included in its latest report, “Net-Zero Industry Tracker 2024 Edition,” released Tuesday. AI, especially generative AI, can boost capital efficiency by 5% to 7%, the report said, offering cost reductions for sectors like steel, cement, and heavy manufacturing, which are among the hardest to decarbonize. The bank estimated that $30 trillion in additional capital investment is needed by 2050 to meet global net-zero goals, but AI’s contributions could significantly reduce that figure. “The potential of AI to reduce capital needs by $1.5 trillion to $2tn is a significant development for sectors that are crucial to the global economy but are also challenging to decarbonise,” the report said. AI innovations, including better energy management, enhanced asset use, and faster research processes, were identified as key factors behind the savings. However, the report cautioned that AI’s adoption could lead to increased electricity demand, creating competition for low-carbon energy resources. “The widespread adoption of AI technologies will likely place additional pressure on energy systems, creating a new challenge in balancing the power needs of the transition,” the report stated. The bank called for stronger policy measures and international collaboration to ensure AI’s benefits outweigh its risks.
TheOffshoreLab, NNPC, Shell opens tech hub in Bayelsa to empower disadvantaged children
The Offshore Lab, in collaboration with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), launched its second Junior Lab technology hub on Friday at Daisy’s Home for Special Children in Bayelsa State. The hub aims to provide practical education in agrotechnology for children in underserved communities. According to the company, the lab features a greenhouse equipped with hydroponics, automated sensors, and smart irrigation systems to help students gain hands-on experience. “By extending this initiative to Daisy’s Home and ultimately to local communities across the country, we are laying the groundwork for a brighter future for Nigeria’s youth,” said Emeka Obiwulu, The Offshore Lab’s chief executive officer. The company said the lab is part of its larger Junior Lab initiative, which equips children with tools and training in agriculture, engineering, and digital innovation. The first lab, launched in 2023 at Badamia Home in Port Harcourt, has trained street children in engineering design and other technical skills. SPDC’s General Manager of Corporate Relations, Igo Weli, described the initiative as impactful. “It’s exciting to witness the transformation in not just the technical skills of these young people but also their confidence and leadership,” Weli said. The company plans to expand its network of labs nationwide to address strategic challenges in sectors like agriculture, renewable energy, and digital technology. The initiative aligns with projections by the World Economic Forum that Africa’s digital economy could contribute $180 billion to the continent’s GDP by 2025. NNPCL and SPDC provided financial and technical support for the project.
African Edtech pioneers collaborate to launch AI education initiative for African professionals
Unify’s e-learning platform, Verticul, has partnered with DecisionSpaak Technologies to introduce a course on Artificial Intelligence. The course, titled Artificial Intelligence 101: Prompt Engineering for Beginners, aims to equip African professionals with essential skills to navigate AI systems like chatbots and Large Language Models (LLMs). The General Manager of Unify, Samuel Omokanye, said the program is designed to meet the growing demand for AI expertise in industries such as finance, healthcare, and education. “AI is the future, and it is essential for African professionals and companies to have access to top-tier AI training,” he said. Verticul, a platform developed by Unify, provides young Africans with affordable courses to enhance their employability. With over 1,000 learners, it focuses on market-ready skills. DecisionSpaak Technologies, led by founder Philip Ade-Akanbi, specializes in advanced technology solutions. Ade-Akanbi, who leads the course, described the partnership as an opportunity to bridge the skills gap in Africa. “This course will enable African businesses and young entrepreneurs to unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation in the global economy,” he said. Both companies emphasized the need for professionals capable of implementing and managing AI systems as businesses across the continent adopt the technology at an increasing rate.
CMS launches Sauki, an AI tool to simplify public health research in Nigeria
Corona Management Systems (CMS) has launched Sauki, an artificial intelligence tool designed to simplify public health research papers, making them easier to understand for academics, policymakers, and journalists. The company said Sauki allows users to upload mathematical modeling research and generate summaries at four levels of complexity, ranging from academic briefs to simplified formats for non-experts. “In our ten years of work across Africa, we have observed how the lack of accessible information hinders both policy impact and research progress,” Don Aadum, Innovation Specialist at CMS, said. Aadum explained that the tool is particularly useful for those involved in funding and decision-making who may not have public health expertise. “This is important because, too often, those who have funding and those who are subject matter experts are not the same people,” he said. Chijioke Kaduru, Managing Director of CMS, highlighted the importance of accessibility in tackling Africa’s public health challenges. “How much progress Africa makes in addressing public health issues will be determined by how much progress we make in understanding the nature of the challenges we face,” Kaduru said. The company said Sauki, meaning “simple” or “easy” in Hausa, aims to make public health solutions more visible and encourage collaboration between experts and broader audiences.
NCAC, NITDA partner to train two million Nigerians in cultural innovation
The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) have announced a plan to train two million Nigerians on cultural innovation by 2027. This was announced in a joint statement on Monday in which the agencies outlined their goal to integrate Nigeria’s cultural and creative industries with digital technology through training, digitization, and infrastructure projects. The NCAC said its flagship program, Innovate, Create, and Empower (ICE), will expand to 1,000 locations with NITDA’s support. The program aims to upskill participants in cultural and creative industries. “NITDA will provide support through local distribution networks and cloud services to strengthen these platforms,” the statement said. As part of the initiative, NCAC and private sector partners are developing digital platforms for cultural inventory, fan engagement, influencer marketing, subscription video-on-demand services, e-commerce, and capacity building. The agencies plan to pilot an e-commerce platform, BuyNigeria.ng, in key markets in Kano, Lagos, Aba, and Abuja. The platform is intended to boost visibility for traders and artisans. The NCAC said it would mobilize creative and cultural communities to participate in NITDA’s Gulf International Technology Expo in Nigeria in 2025. A joint committee of directors from both agencies has been formed to oversee the partnership and its projects.