Executive Director of FutureMap Foundation, Dr. Shuaib Sani Shuaib, said the organization is connecting academic training and employment by equipping young Africans with digital skills, industry exposure and career opportunities through its flagship Future Tech Fellowship (FTF).
Speaking at a Digital Innovation Workshop for Graduates in Jigawa State, Dr. Shuaib reiterated the Foundation’s commitment to producing technology professionals capable of driving Africa’s digital transformation.
According to the director, while polytechnics and universities continue to churn out talented graduates, many struggle to secure meaningful employment because they lack mentorship and practical work experience.
“Through the Future Tech Fellowship, we are building careers, not just graduates,” he said. “Our objective is to identify promising talent early, nurture it and create clear pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, and leadership within Africa’s innovation ecosystem.”
Shuaib cited the success stories of Ibrahim and Nasir, former students of Sule Lamido University, who developed an Internet of Things (IoT)-based solution to help fish farmers monitor pond conditions and optimise feeding schedules during an innovation competition in Jigawa State.
In acknowledgment of their potential, FutureMap invited the two innovators to Abuja, where they became part of a team that enabled them to collaborate with engineers, researchers, designers and entrepreneurs on nationally relevant technology projects.
“Today, one of them works in the IT division of one of Nigeria’s leading commercial banks, while the other is pursuing a fully funded Master’s degree in the United Kingdom. Both have returned to mentor new participants in the Future Tech Fellowship,” Shuaib added.
The ED disclosed that fellows have contributed to initiatives such as Project Tech Atlas, a digital attendance management platform and locally developed digital health solutions designed to improve institutional efficiency and healthcare delivery.
The Foundation’s training model combines technical education, applied innovation, leadership development, and industry engagement, enabling participants to develop practical solutions to challenges in healthcare, agriculture, education, governance and climate resilience.
Shuaib said the programme places strong emphasis on helping fellows build professional portfolios, strengthen teamwork and communication skills, and understand the complete process of designing, testing and deploying technology solutions.
The Fellowship has attracted over 3,000 applicants, with only three per cent scaling through a competitive process. Participants have come from all 36 states of Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon, creating a diverse community of emerging technology professionals.
The programme has also produced impressive career outcomes, with about 40 per cent of alumni securing internships or employment through strategic industry partnerships, mentorship and collaborative innovation projects.
Among the solutions developed is a smart hospital management system aimed at reducing patient waiting time and improving healthcare administration, alongside other digital innovations addressing challenges in agriculture, governance and public service delivery.
“Today’s fellows become tomorrow’s mentors, innovators and industry leaders,” Shuaib asserted. “The journey of Ibrahim and Nasir demonstrates what is possible when talent is recognised early, supported through mentorship, and connected to opportunities.”
