Ajegunle.org tackles youth IT training in Nigeria

The Ajegunle.org project, aimed at providing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills and entrepreneurial support for Nigerian youths, has completed training its first group of students and is moving to recruit more.

The program is a project of the Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN), a social-enterprise consulting service that focuses on ICT for socio-economic opportunities in the country and helps organize volunteers.

Ajegunle.org, which has completed the training of more than 100 Nigerian youths, is looking for another group of 25 for May, according to PIN Executive Director Gbenga Sesan. Ajegunle.org, he said, has become a case study on how ICT could be used to aid development in underserved communities in the country and throughout Africa.

The Ajegunle.org project is part of PIN's efforts to bring ICT to the Ajegunle suburb of Lagos. On its Web site, PIN notes that Ajegunle is "a notorious slum in Lagos, Nigeria, and home to over three (3) million inhabitants from all the tribes of West Africa." Ajegunle.org helps find jobs for students, who are then expected to save a percentage of the money they make to invest in IT equipment to start new businesses, according to PIN.

Ajegunle.org course modules have been modified to contain an additional week of ICT training, as well as more support toward the development of a realistic business plan for the youths, Sesan said.

Three of the graduates, Sesan said, have recently completed their internships with the United Kingdom Trade and Investment Unit (UKTI) of the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos, and were exposed to work ethics and international trade issues, networking opportunities and an opportunity to see how to apply their newly acquired skills.

The project has been accepted as one of the concepts that will compete in the British Council/Youngster Foundation Top12 Youth Works competition, Sesan said.

Students have expressed delight for the opportunity given to them.

"I really had a fantastic time because I learnt a lot of things which have changed the way I think; self esteem and how to be proactive; to love and to appreciate people; and the need to take responsibilities or assignments seriously, " said Nwanyiego Ijeh.

Another student, Matthew Ibiwoye, added, "It has strengthened and empowered 25 young people in the local community of Ajegunle, and I am a beneficiary. In the course of my internship program with the Trade and Investment section of the British Deputy High Commission, my understanding of business in both local and international spheres has taken a new dimension."