Firm, LSETF Commit N3bn to Train 20,000 Tech Talents in Five Years

Emma Okonji

Ingryd Academy, in partnership with Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), is set to train 20,000 middle-level people across Africa on tech skills in the next five years, through a scholarship scheme.

The initiative is to train, empower and facilitate job placement for all the trainees that would be part of the six-month scholarship scheme, designed to bridge the technology skills gap across Africa.

The Ingryd scholarship programme would focus on critical tech skill sets such as Java, Linux, Cybersecurity, and Data Science, and will train 4,000 individuals annually in the next five years, beginning with 1,000 participants every quarter of the year.     

Announcing the initiative in Lagos, at a press conference yesterday, the CEO of Ingryd Academy, Khadijat Abdulkadir, said Ingryd would invest N3 billion over the next five years, in training 20,000 tech talents across Africa, while LSETF would facilitate the selection process of the trainees and their job placement.   

The Director of Programmes and Coordination, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, Omolara Adewumi, said the selection process would begin this month and was open to all interested Nigerians and Africans willing to develop Africa’s tech ecosystem.

According to her, the programme would welcome its first cohort of 1,000 participants in October this year, followed by three additional cohorts of 1,000 participants each, over the next 12 months.

The phased approach which would run for the next five years would ensure that each participant receives comprehensive and impactful learning experience and job placement, Adewumi said.

The partnership aims to provide aspiring tech professionals with the skills, knowledge and resources they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

The six-month curriculum includes a three-month paid internship, enabling participants to gain practical experience and apply their newly acquired skills.

“Based on the partnership with LSETF, the Ingryd scholarship programme envisions a future where Africa’s tech talent rises to its full potential, driving innovation, and propelling the continent to the forefront of the global tech landscape.

“Together, we are not just closing the tech talent gap, we are also opening doors to endless possibilities, empowering aspiring tech professionals, and shaping a brighter, more innovative Africa,” Abdulkadir said.

“The partnership represents a collaborative effort to address the skills gap in the technology sector, promote job creation, and empower Lagos residents with valuable skills for a rapidly evolving industry. “It highlights the importance of public-private partnerships in driving economic development and fostering talent development in the region.

“The Ingryd scholarship programme in partnership with LSETF is more than an educational initiative. It is a beacon of opportunity, offering a transformative learning experience for aspiring tech talents across Africa.

“The partnership exemplifies the collaborative vision of two entities deeply committed to shaping the future of tech talents in Africa,” Adewumi said.