By Our Reporter
The Executive Director/Co-founder of MSwitch Creative Hub, Mrs Zainab Salami, has said that over 53% of young Nigerians aged 15-24 are jobless, emphasizing the urgent need for strategic interventions to tackle the crisis.
Salami disclosed this in Abuja on Sunday during the MSwitch launch of the ‘Remote Job Initiative,’ a groundbreaking program in partnership with AfriLabs, aimed at positioning Nigeria as a global hub for digital excellence.
She emphasized MSwitch’s commitment to empowering young creatives and digital professionals by equipping them with the skills and opportunities needed for sustainable careers.
According to her, the initiative seeks to connect Nigerian talent with global employers, strengthening the country’s presence in the international digital economy.
She added that the program aims to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity by equipping youth with essential skills, access to global employers, and state-of-the-art co-working spaces.
“Over 53% of young Nigerians aged 15-24 are either unemployed or underemployed. This program will create 2,000 remote job opportunities for young creatives and tech professionals, enabling them to earn, grow, and contribute to the nation’s economy without leaving the country.
“Beyond job placement, this initiative is designed to equip young professionals with the tools and environment needed for long-term success.
“To support this, we are investing in infrastructure and establishing fully equipped co-working spaces with 24/7 electricity, high-speed internet, cutting-edge technology, and industry-standard tools to maximize productivity”, Salami said.
Also speaking, the Chief Operating Officer of AfriLabs, Ajibola Odukoya, described the
organization’s expansive footprint across Africa and its dedication to capacity building.
He emphasized that beyond training, the next step is placing Africans in gainful employment.
“AfriLabs is the largest network of innovation and technology hubs in Africa. We operate in 53 countries, across 225 cities, with 500 physical locations, and have about 80 million people in our ecosystem.
“We have partnered with international businesses and generated a pool of over 200,000 job vacancies targeted at Africans of all ages, as long as they qualify.
“To solve infrastructure challenges associated with remote work in Africa, we are using our innovation hubs, such as MSwitch in Abuja, as dedicated workstations with world-class facilities to support productivity”, Odukoya added.
Also speaking, the Chairman of MSwitch Group, Kadir Salami, reiterated the organization’s focus on helping Nigerian talent secure jobs abroad while working locally.
“Our mission is twofold: to connect skilled Nigerians with international job opportunities and to equip those lacking necessary skills with training that positions them for global employment”.
He noted that the Remote Job Initiative is expected to enhance Nigeria’s digital economy, attract international employers, and create sustainable career pathways for young Nigerians.