The Gateway Programme, a five-year initiative aimed at tackling youth unemployment, has opened registration to connect about 340,000 Nigerian youths to global gig opportunities.
The programme was launched in Lagos, where organisers announced that it would equip young people with digital skills and link them to income opportunities in the fast-growing global gig economy.
Speaking at the launch, the Managing Director of Co-creation HUB Ltd (CcHUB), Ms. Ojoma Ochai, said the initiative was designed to address unemployment and underemployment by helping youths access sustainable income streams.
She explained that the programme would be implemented across 10 states, including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kano, Kaduna, Rivers, Delta, Edo, and Enugu.
Ms. Ochai said the programme would provide clear pathways for participants to acquire relevant digital skills and compete in the global marketplace. According to her, the initiative aims to bridge Nigeria’s skills-to-employment gap by training young people in high-demand areas.
She noted that the global gig economy is expanding rapidly and is projected to reach about $1.85 trillion by 2032, adding that Nigerian youths must be prepared to take advantage of these opportunities.
“Participants will be trained in areas such as digital marketing, video production and editing, graphic design, and UI/UX design,” she said.
Ms. Ochai explained that the programme would cater to different skill levels through two pathways — Growth Pathways and Foundation Pathways. She noted that the Growth Pathway is targeted at individuals who already possess digital and creative skills but seek to strengthen their portfolios and access more opportunities.
She added that the Foundation Pathway is designed for beginners with little or no prior experience, offering them the opportunity to build skills from the ground up.
The CcHUB boss further stated that the programme prioritises inclusivity, with a strong focus on increasing the participation of women, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and displaced youths.
She also announced that registration is currently open through the programme’s official portal, encouraging interested youths to apply and take advantage of the opportunity.
