Information and Communications Technology (ICT) solutions company, Huawei has announced its plan to ensure digital inclusion in Nigeria through a collaboration with over 40 universities in the country.
The company is working with the institutions to establish the Huawei Authorised Information and Network Academy (HAINA), which will provide industrially recognised ICT certification in subjects such as Networks, Routing and Switching.
“Apart from increased connectivity, Huawei is also committed to building skills at all levels of the society, by working with universities and other partners to foster ICT talents and training ICT practitioners,” Managing Director of Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Limited, Zhang Lulu said in a statement.
The crucial need to equip Nigerian youths with ICT knowledge and skills cannot be overemphasized as the sector contributes substantially to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). According to Zhang, the ICT industry contributes more than 10 percent of the total GDP of Nigeria.
More so, reports show that the adoption of communication technology had grown all over Nigeria, with over 80 percent of the citizens already covered by communication networks. Thus, with the continued increase in the adoption of communication technologies both for individual and enterprise purposes, there is an imperative demand for highly skilled ICT engineers in the country.
The managing director also noted that the company has trained more than 20,000 ICT engineers, who have become the main workforce, to guarantee the network running of the country.
Over the years, Huawei has been actively involved and participating in the development of the ICT sector in Nigeria.
The announcement by the ICT firm comes two weeks after it was reported that a team of Nigerian students would represent Africa at the global stage to compete for the world ICT title in Huawei’ flagship ICT development program set to hold in China this May.
Huawei launched the ICT competition in Nigeria last October, in partnership with local universities with the aim of cultivating local ICT talents, promoting a greater understanding of and interest in ICT, and developing a healthy ecosystem for the sustainable growth of ICT sector.
“Since starting operations in Nigeria in 1999, Huawei has been working with local operators to providing safe, stable and high-quality communication networks in the country; currently covering about half of the population,” Zhang added. While he reiterated the company’s commitment to achieving a fully connected and digitally inclusive Nigeria.
