The National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, in collaboration with Google Nigeria is announcing the launch of a Google Hustle Academy Bootcamp, 2022 to train Micro Small and Medium Enterprise, MSME, on digital technologies.
This was made known on Monday in a statement signed by Hadiza Umar, Head, Corporate Affairs and External Relations and Mojolaoluwa Aderemi-Makinde, Head, Brand Reputation, Google Nigeria.
The statement said that the Bootcamp was aimed at providing free online training for MSMEs to promote career skills and improving business operations.
It said that the training would thereby help small businesses to be repositioned and increase their revenue generation.
The statement said that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sector was a backbone for economic growth and a major provider of employment opportunities in a country.
According to the statement, the National Bureau for Statistics showed that SMEs had contributed about 48 per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Products, GDP, in the last five years.
It added however that in spite of this significant contribution to Nigeria’s economy, challenges persisted hindering the growth and development of the sector.
It said that these include inadequate understanding on how to leverage digital tools for business growth, poor planning and management skills.
The statement said that to address these challenges, NITDA has embarked on several initiatives to upskill and reskill Nigerians across all walks of life in line with the national agenda for a digital economy .
It said that it was in line with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria, NDEPS.
It said that in furtherance to providing massive employment opportunities through digital skills, NITDA had kick- started an ambitious project to train one million software developers in the country.
Therefore, the NITDA-Google Hustle Academy Bootcamp would enable MSMEs to maximize their potentials and key into existing opportunities for socio-economic ddevelopment.
Meanwhile, NITDA and Google have expressed excitement about the partnership.
“We are excited about this partnership with Google Nigeria, in line with our initiative of building the capacity of one million software developers by the end of 2023.
“The programme will assist small businesses grow by increasing revenue, positioning for investment, and building sustainable businesses for the future,’’ Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, Director-General, NITDA, said.
Similarly, the Head of Brand Reputation, Google Nigeria, Mojolaoluwa Makinde said that Google was excited to collaborate with NITDA to empower MSMEs to plan their digital marketing strategies.
Mr Makinde said that Google was also excited to create business growth plans, identify new markets, access funding opportunities and pitch success.
He said that to ensure smooth and successful programme implementation, some eligibility criteria for entry into the Bootcamp were put in place
They include: Business Maturity, MSMEs with an existing business plan, with defined product or service offering and willing to scale up;
Others are the size of Operations: Businesses that have at least two full time employees and have been operating for over twelve months; and Revenue generated, Businesses that have generated profit in the last 12 months or 1-3 months away from break even.
NAN
