The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has unveiled plans to launch the Edo Tech Park, a silicon-valley-styled technology hub that would train 15,000 software engineers in the state in five years and link them with high-paying in-demand technology jobs from around the world.
In a statement, the governor said the park is to be run in partnership with Decagon, an elite software engineering and leadership training institute, for the recruitment and training of young unemployed graduates in the state, who will be trained to launch a career in software engineering.
Obaseki said the programme is structured to build the capacity of Edo youths to fill the global supply gap of tech talent, adding that it will provide opportunity for foreign exchange earnings and boost the local economy.
The park will be launched on December 14, 2020, while the first intake will be admitted in February, 2021 to commence training.
According to him, “The Edo Tech Park project is an elaborate initiative to provide high-paying jobs to youths and build their capacity to compete globally for technology jobs. The State Government has strategically invested in infrastructure to ensure the success of the project, which includes stable electricity and broadband internet connectivity delivered through the fibre-optic cable network in the state.”
The governor further noted: “The Park is part of Edo State Government’s move towards plugging this gap and allowing her youths tap into this growing demand for tech talent globally. “This will open up opportunities for foreign exchange earnings, boost our internally generated revenue (IGR) and expand the local economy while also rewriting the narrative of being the hub for human trafficking activities.”
“The Park will be fitted with live-work apartments, training facilities, 24/7 power supply and reliable high-speed internet,” he assured.
