NITDA, Ascend Foundation Launch Creative Technology Programme

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in collaboration with Ascend Studios Foundation has announced the launch of Creative Technology Program (CTP), 2022.

This was disclosed in a joint statement issued yesterday by the Head Corporate Affairs and External Relations of NITDA, Hadiza Umar and the President of the Ascend Studios Foundation, Dr. Inya Lawal. The  programme is aimed at developing and retaining Creative Technology Talents in Nigeria for promoting career skills and providing job opportunities among the beneficiaries.

“The goal of the program is to enable, nurture and upskill creative technology talents in persons into viable career options; and create an ecosystem that will boost the economic potential of all participants,” the statement said.

According to the Director General of NITDA, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the existing digital skills gap and resulted in millions of job losses – disrupting the global landscape and leaving many with speculations on the world’s recovery mechanism. He noted that this level of training is crucial.

Similarly, the President of Ascend Studios Foundation, Dr Inya Lawal, said “We are delighted that NITDA has partnered with us as our goal is to bridge the creative technology skill gap Nigeria has and produce top professionals in Gaming, Animation and Augmented Reality whose work can compete globally”.

NITDA has embarked on several initiatives to upskill and reskill Nigerians across all walks of life in line with the national agenda for a digital economy- the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS).

The development of NITDA Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) is a strategic plan towards achieving the NDEPS.

In continuation to provide massive employment opportunities through digital skills, NITDA has kick -started an ambitious project to train one million software developers in the country. Therefore, the NITDA- Ascend Studios Foundation, CTP will enable the participants to gain new skills that will help them take their ventures to the next level, at the same time formulating a strong network for sharing ideas and each other’s experiences.

As the creative economy rapidly transforms the global economic landscape and the technology skills gap between Africa and other continents widen, technology literacy is fast-becoming a fundamental right and a springboard for Africans to engage and participate in today’s world.

The need and demand for creative and digital technology skills is more pressing than ever before. The programme will find talents in Animation, Games and AR who will contribute positively to the Nigerian economy and its relation to career/business opportunities within creative technology.

CTP is supported by the HOW Foundation, Africa Creative Market, Paramount Africa, Global Wissen Consult, Entertainment IP Germany and the Animation Excellence Cluster in Germany.