In a significant move to bolster digital skills among Nigerian youth, global technology company Zoho has teamed up with Babcock University to empower students with practical expertise in low-code application development.
Bridging the Digital Skills Gap
The collaboration, executed through the Babcock Centre for Executive Development (BCED), saw the implementation of Zoho's Young Creators Program. This intensive initiative successfully trained over 50 students from diverse academic backgrounds including Computer Science, Business, and Information Technology.
During the three-day workshop, participants learned to build business-ready applications using Zoho Creator, the company's innovative low-code development platform. The program introduced students to practical problem-solving using cutting-edge cloud technology, enabling them to design and develop custom business solutions without requiring advanced programming knowledge.
Strategic Partnership for Future Innovators
Kehinde Ogundare, Country Head of Zoho Nigeria, emphasized the company's commitment to local talent development. "We are excited to collaborate with Babcock University to equip students with future-ready digital skills," Ogundare stated. "Through the Young Creators Program, we aim to empower young innovators to build solutions that solve real business challenges while strengthening the local technology ecosystem."
This initiative marks the beginning of a broader strategic collaboration between Zoho and BCED. Both organizations plan to continue working together to deliver additional training programs, interactive workshops, and innovation-focused events. Discussions are also underway to integrate Zoho's applications into BCED's entrepreneurship curriculum, ensuring students learn how to apply digital solutions to various business problems.
Preparing Leaders for the Digital Economy
Dr. Ayodeji Ajibade, Director of the Babcock Entrepreneurship Development Centre (BEDC), highlighted the importance of the partnership in preparing students for leadership roles. "We are committed to preparing our students for leadership in a rapidly evolving digital economy," Dr. Ajibade explained. "Partnering with Zoho strengthens our mission by providing students with access to industry-standard tools and practical learning experiences that bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and real-world application."
The Young Creators Program represents part of Zoho's global effort to promote digital literacy and support innovation among young people. Since its launch in 2022, the program has trained more than 2000 students worldwide, providing them with the tools and confidence to pursue technology careers and entrepreneurial ventures.
This partnership between Zoho and Babcock University demonstrates a growing recognition of the need to equip Nigerian students with practical digital skills that align with industry demands, ultimately contributing to the development of the country's technology ecosystem.
