UAE and Nigeria Collaborate to Empower Over 7 Million Youth with Digital Expertise and Worldwide Chances
Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have formed a strategic partnership aimed at equipping over seven million Nigerian youths with advanced digital skills, entrepreneurial training, and access to global innovation ecosystems. This collaboration, which is set to foster job creation and Nigeria’s integration into the global digital economy, was announced recently.
The partnership, spearheaded by the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), aims to empower Nigerian youth through digital literacy, civic leadership, and startup skills. The UAE’s Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa) is collaborating closely with Nigerian authorities to provide entrepreneurial support and innovation incubation.
A significant milestone of this cooperation is the GITEX-powered National Digital Innovation Showcase, scheduled for September 1–4, 2025 in Nigeria. This event will showcase 300 leading Nigerian startups, with the aim to expose local entrepreneurs to global investors and markets.
The partnership also encompasses joint programs on artificial intelligence education, business process outsourcing (BPO), remote work, and startup incubation. These sectors are critical to future employment and Nigeria’s digital transformation. This alignment with a digital economy strategy responds to World Bank and IFC forecasts that by 2030, up to 45% of jobs in Nigeria will require digital proficiency, with a large portion outside traditional ICT roles—emphasizing the need for foundational and intermediate digital skills across industries.
Infrastructure-wise, NiYA is scaling up through the establishment of “Greenhouse Centres” in all 774 local government areas of Nigeria. These centres will expand comprehensive digital and entrepreneurial training nationwide, with early enrollment data showing over 210,000 participants already engaged.
The expected impact of this partnership includes enhanced youth employability, stimulation of startup culture, and Nigeria’s deeper involvement in the global digital economy. This will position its workforce to meet evolving international labor market demands driven by digital innovation.
During a visit to the UAE, the Nigerian Youth Minister, Ayodele Olawande, held talks with the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa) and His Excellency Omar Al Olama, UAE Minister of Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications. Discussions centred on AI-driven education, BPO, startup incubation, and remote work-critical sectors for future youth employment and Nigeria's broader digital transformation agenda.
This collaboration between Nigeria and the UAE underscores the urgent need for large-scale digital skill development across all sectors in Nigeria. It also highlights the commitment of both governments to equipping their youth with the necessary skills, resources, and international connections for success in the fast-changing digital world. The partnership is designed to support the broader digital transformation agenda of the Nigerian government and is expected to help Nigeria’s youth connect with the global digital economy.
- The Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA)'s collaboration with the UAE's Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa) aims to provide finance and startup skills to Nigerian youth, integrating them into global technology ecosystems, particularly through the GITEX-powered National Digital Innovation Showcase.
- The strategic partnership between Nigeria and the UAE encompasses education and self-development in areas such as artificial intelligence, business process outsourcing, remote work, and startup incubation, ensuring Nigerian youth are equipped with necessary digital skills to meet evolving labor market demands.
