By: Ogine Victor
Owing to the high level of youth unemployment in Nigeria which currently stands at over 33.3%, the Bank of Industry (BoI) has announced plans to establish tech hubs across the country to address the challenge.
Mr. Olukayode Pitan, Managing Director, BOI, stated this in Lagos during the commissioning and opening of BOI-Unilag Incubation and Co-working Hub.
Mr. Pitan noted that the bank remains resolute in providing funding to support credible and bankable ideas that emerge from the tech hubs to enable them to start operations and scale into viable businesses.
According to him, embracing technology and infusing it into business processes will make organisations and the country more competitive; adding that the tech industry can be a major pillar of a diversified economy.
His words “BoI is happy to support this programme because it aligns with our mission to transform Nigeria’s industrial sector by providing financial and business support services so that new businesses will emerge and existing enterprises will thrive
“Creating spaces like these are filling a crucial gap in the tech and startup industry. Hackathons and other competitions to identify tech solutions for social and business problems are born and developed in such places,” – Pitan added.
While highlighting the importance of the tech-hub in the life of the university students, the BOI boss emphasized that talented youths in the ivory tower need more productive and impactful initiatives rather than social vices.
He also noted that the bank’s initiative can further help create exciting jobs that can encourage young people to stay in Nigeria even as they work and compete globally.
Mr. Pitan further reiterated that the overall objective for the programme is to ensure that the Bank’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) investments generate better benefits for the country, stressing that a hub like the one unveiled gives young people the opportunity to create legitimate wealth.
He added that tech can help solve some of Nigeria’s social problems, particularly youth unemployment, which has been further exacerbated by the pandemic.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, said the institution is proud to support the establishment of the tech-hubs.
