Imo partners US varsity to train 100,000 youths in new talent hub
Imo State has launched the first of its kind digital talent marketplace in Africa, in a bid to train over 100,000 youths in digital skills. In a statement, the digital platform ImoTalentHub.com connects the State’s rapidly growing ranks of software engineers, data scientists and designers with employers in Lagos, London, Dubai, Silicon Valley and other […]
Imo State has launched the first of its kind digital talent marketplace in Africa, in a bid to train over 100,000 youths in digital skills.
In a statement, the digital platform ImoTalentHub.com connects the State’s rapidly growing ranks of software engineers, data scientists and designers with employers in Lagos, London, Dubai, Silicon Valley and other innovation hubs worldwide.
It stressed that the initiative was anchored in the govesrnment’s Skill Up Imo initiative and built in partnership with the University of California, Berkeley, and the US Market Access Centre.
“The platform pursues a clear and ambitious goal: to place 100,000 Imo trained technology professionals in paid global roles by 2026,” the statement reads.
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It added that Skill Up Imo was launched by Governor Hope Uzodimma to move the state from analogue thinking to a fully digital economy and steer young people away from cultism and internet fraud.
“Introduced in 2022, the initiative has already graduated more than 40 000 learners through intensive courses in software development, artificial intelligence, cyber security and user experience design, creating one of Nigeria’s largest and most capable talent pools,” the statement reads.
It described ImoTalentHub as the forward step in the Skills Up programme, saying it turns that classroom success into real employment by giving every graduate a verified profile, a portfolio showcase and access to one click smart contracts that manage KYC checks, escrow payments and tax compliance.
According to the governor, the initiative would serve as a decisive pivot away from a resource-based economy.
“Imo is moving decisively from an analogue economy to a digital future. By partnering with the University of California and the US Market Access Center we are giving our young people the skills, networks and confidence to launch world-class start-ups right here in Owerri.
“Our goal is to empower 300,000 residents over the next five years and link Imo’s tech ecosystem to global markets,” he said.
Dr Chimezie Amadi, Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, added that data generated by the hub will inform smarter policy, stimulate foreign earnings and demonstrate the country’s capacity to export high-value knowledge at scale.
Chris Burry, Managing Director of the US Market Access Center, expressed optimism about the initiative.
“We see in Imo the talent and determination that built Silicon Valley. Working alongside UC Berkeley and the state government, we will mentor the next generation of founders who can deliver solutions for Nigeria, Africa and the wider world,” he said.