Wema Bank Begins Training Of 2m Youths, 1m MSMEs In Federal Govt/ALAT Digital Skillnovation Program

Wema Bank, Nigeria’s most innovative bank and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, in partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria, has announced the kickoff of the virtual training in the FGN/ALAT Digital Skillnovation Programme for MSMEs from November 27, 2023.

Launched in September 2023, the programme has witnessed an overwhelming response, with hundreds of thousands of business owners, aspiring business owners, working-class professionals and jobseekers expressing keen interest in developing their digital skills, enhancing their employability and deepening their business management skills.

The FGN/ALAT Digital Skillnovation Programme for MSMEs aimed to train 2,000,000 Nigerian youth and 1,000,000 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), with a diverse range of digital skills. These skills include software engineering, product management, business analysis, cloud computing, product design, and more. Applicants of the FGN/ALAT Digital Skillnovation Programme can anticipate a holistic experience beyond virtual training as they will be exposed to hands-on physical training conducted at cutting-edge digital hubs strategically located nationwide.

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Announcing the launch of the virtual training for the first cohort of 270,000 participants, MD/CEO of Wema Bank, Moruf Oseni, highlighted the transformative opportunity the programme represents for business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, job seekers, and professionals across Nigeria.

“Beyond mere skill acquisition, this programme is set to create a ripple effect of socioeconomic benefits across the nation. By empowering our youth, we are not just fostering individual successes; we are investing in the broader narrative of national progress, promoting job creation, boosting innovation, and paving the way for a more prosperous future.

“At its core, the FGN-ALAT Digital Skillnovation Programme aims to build a marketplace for young entrepreneurs, providing digital skills that open doors to sustainable career development and expose small-scale business owners to funding and grants. Successful applicants will experience four months of learning on a tailored track, choosing between the SME route or the employment route. Overall, the FGN/ALAT Digital Skillnovation Programme is more than just a training initiative; it’s a comprehensive ecosystem designed to foster innovation, growth, and success, shaping the next generation of Nigerian entrepreneurs and professionals,” Oseni concluded.

Wema Bank noted that as the virtual training begins, the FGN/ALAT Digital Skillnovation Programme heralds a new era of digital empowerment. Upon completion of both virtual and physical trainings, participants will gain exclusive access to one-on-one mentorship sessions with esteemed professionals and business leaders from Nigeria and across the globe. This unique opportunity fosters networking, allowing participants to connect with peers and industry leaders, and cultivate valuable relationships. Furthermore, the programme opens doors to internship placements, providing a platform to gain practical experience and refine skills within a real-world work environment.

Entrepreneurs will be granted the chance to showcase their products and services to a wider audience through an e-commerce platform and secure exhibition slots at major international and local trade fairs and exhibitions. To bolster the growth and scalability of their businesses, participants, particularly entrepreneurs, can tap into various funding opportunities made available through the program.

“The FGN/ALAT Digital Skillnovation Programme, therefore, transcends conventional training by creating a comprehensive ecosystem that nurtures skills, mentorship, networking, practical experience, market visibility, and financial support. It is poised to make a profound impact on the youth and MSMEs in Nigeria. This initiative underscores Wema Bank’s commitment to nurturing innovation and fostering a digitally inclusive future for the nation. As the programme progresses, it is anticipated to be a catalyst for positive change, driving economic growth and shaping the landscape of digital proficiency in Nigeria,” a statement from three Bank further said.

It added that the call for entries was still open, and interested applicants can apply to gain access to the program via https://fg-skillnovation.alat.ng/ and gain access to their dashboard at https://fgnalat.getfundedafrica.com/portal/ for the virtual training using their email as the username and “Login” as the case-sensitive password.