FG to train 500,000 Nigerians through GSM village model

• Published On: 11 July 2024 at 18:24

The Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology has implemented the GSM village apprenticeship program to train around 500,000 Nigerians in two years.

Odusanya Olushola, Director General of the National Centre for Technology Management, made the announcement on Thursday at the commencement of 'The TechAdvantage Nigeria Apprenticeship Workshop' in Abuja, on behalf of Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology Uche Nnaji.

The project, approved by the government in February 2024, is in conjunction with and aims to empower 500,000 Nigerians and create two million employment in two years.

In Nigeria, the GSM Village Apprenticeship Model is a training program that teaches practical skills and knowledge to those who want to work as mobile phone technicians. This program was created to meet the growing demand for experienced technicians capable of repairing and maintaining mobile phones, which are widely used in Nigeria.


"Today, we want to build new information about how humans learn and how society grows by using the GSM village apprenticeships model as a learning tool. We want to introduce new information to society, allowing people to gain new talents and make them valuable and helpful.

"What we're pushing is a self-help strategy in which society learns in an unconventional way, similar to evangelism in which one person learns and teaches another. This unorthodox school teaches people practical skills that will help them become more effective members of society.

"This program, spearheaded by the Minister, has good sustainability prospects. The program's circular flow assures that money are generated through training programs and that earnings are reinvested to train others, resulting in a self-sustaining paradigm," he stated.


NACETEM and TechAdvantage have a tight association because the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology established the program, and NACETEM is a partner that focuses on alternative education models for training individuals in innovation, science, and technology.

Speaking during the launch, Sapphital Learning Limited's CEO, Mr Amu Ogbeide, stated, "We are committed to bridging Nigeria's skill gap and creating job opportunities for its citizens." Our apprenticeship curriculum is intended to equip individuals with the skills and information required to excel in the technology industry."

The TechAdvantage program responds to the country's high unemployment rate and the demand for qualified people in the technology sector.

Sapphital's goal is to reach a wide number of Nigerians, particularly those in rural regions, and equip them with the skills required to compete in the global tech industry through online training and apprenticeship programs.

"We believe that this programme will not only create jobs but also contribute to the growth of the Nigerian economy," she stated.