Collaboration between Nigeria and UAE targets endowing approximately 7 million youths with digital expertise and global career prospects.
The Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) has announced a strategic partnership with the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa) as part of a broader alliance between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This collaboration aims to empower over seven million Nigerian youths with digital skills, entrepreneurial training, and global exposure.
Minister Olawande's Diplomatic Visit
The partnership was formalized during a diplomatic visit led by Nigeria’s Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, who engaged Sheraa to create collaborative initiatives under NiYA. The visit took place from July 8 to 11, during which Minister Olawande held talks with Sheraa to explore joint efforts in various sectors, including artificial intelligence education, business process outsourcing, startup incubation, and remote work strategies.
Empowering Nigerian Youth
The NiYA objectives include equipping young Nigerians with digital literacy, civic leadership, startup skills, and access to innovation ecosystems. The partnership is expected to focus on areas such as AI-driven education, business process outsourcing, startup incubation, and remote work-critical sectors, all crucial for digital transformation and youth empowerment in Nigeria.
Impact of the Partnership
Over 210,000 youths have already enrolled in the NiYA program, which has established Green House Centres in Nigeria’s 774 local government areas to provide training and access to emerging technologies. A major National Digital Innovation Showcase, powered by GITEX Global and scheduled for September 1–4, 2025, will spotlight 300 promising Nigerian startups. This event, co-created with Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), is intended to provide global visibility, market access, and targeted growth support for Nigerian entrepreneurs.
Alignment with the Nigerian Government's Vision
The collaboration is positioned as a flagship effort in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader agenda to digitally empower Nigerian youth and accelerate the country’s digital economy. The UAE partnership is in line with the Nigerian government's resolve to prepare its youth for the demands of the digital economy and aims to equip Nigerian youth with the skills, resources, and international connections necessary for success in the fast-changing digital world.
The Future of Digital Skill Development in Nigeria
The World Bank and IFC have jointly estimated that by 2030, 35-45% of jobs in Nigeria will require some degree of digital proficiency. The urgent need for large-scale digital skill development across all sectors in Nigeria is underscored by these statistics. The NiYA-Sheraa partnership is a strategic effort to strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy by fostering innovation, building entrepreneurial skills, and connecting Nigerian youth with global technology and business ecosystems through education, incubation, and market integration.
In conclusion, this partnership between NiYA and Sheraa represents a significant step towards empowering Nigeria's youth and accelerating the country's digital economy. The collaboration is expected to contribute to the digital transformation agenda of Nigeria, promote innovation, boost employment, and connect Nigeria's young people with the global digital economy.
- The collaboration between NiYA and Sheraa, focused on artificial intelligence education, business process outsourcing, startup incubation, and remote work strategies, aims to equip young Nigerians with skills necessary for the fast-changing digital world.
- The NiYA-Sheraa partnership is aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader agenda to digitally empower Nigerian youth, as the UAE partnership is in line with the Nigerian government's resolve to prepare its youth for the demands of the digital economy.
- Minister Olawande's diplomatic visit with Sheraa intends to create collaborative initiatives under NiYA, with a focus on areas such as AI-driven education, business process outsourcing, startup incubation, and remote work-critical sectors.
- The NiYA objectives include personal growth, learning, and self-development through digital literacy, civic leadership, and access to innovation ecosystems, with over 210,000 youths already enrolled in the NiYA program.
