The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has trained 160 youths from Kebbi and Zamfara states in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Analytics to boost their digital skills and employment prospects.
Mr Luka Dalang, Programme Coordinator of RimaFin Consulting, said this in an interview on Friday in Kaduna at the end of the five-day training programme.
Dalang said the participants, comprising unemployed youths and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, were trained under NCDMB’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
He said 80 participants each from Kebbi and Zamfara benefited from the programme.
According to him, the training was designed to expose participants to emerging technologies and prepare them for opportunities in the evolving digital economy.
Dalang said the beneficiaries were introduced to practical applications of AI and data analytics, including data collection, interpretation, decision-making and problem-solving.
He explained that the skills would enable participants to improve their productivity, support businesses and organisations with data-driven solutions, and explore opportunities in the growing digital services sector.
The coordinator added that participants could also apply the knowledge in agriculture, education, healthcare, entrepreneurship and public administration, where data analysis and AI tools are increasingly being used to improve efficiency and service delivery.
“The essence is to empower them with knowledge of AI and data analytics and enable them to support government and society through technology-driven solutions,” he said.
Dalang said the initiative was conceived to provide young people with relevant skills while encouraging productive engagement, particularly in communities facing socio-economic challenges.
“We are living in a digital world today. There is a need for our youths to be on the same page with the rest of the world.
“We believe this training is timely, relevant and will have a significant impact on their future,” he said.
Dalang said similar programmes would be organised for participants from Yobe and Gombe states in the North-East and Nasarawa State in the North-Central zone.
He commended the Executive Secretary of the board, Engr. Felix Ogbe, for supporting initiatives aimed at expanding digital literacy and human capital development across the country.
