ABUJA
– A learning area spanning 25 square meters, fitted with cutting-edge digital equipment, has been inaugurated.
As part of the BeMINT_Nigeria initiative, hands-on IT training and entrepreneurial skill development are provided to high school graduates in Lagos. This 12-week comprehensive program emphasizes female involvement and aims to create economic opportunities for 400 young people (ages 18 to 24) from underprivileged backgrounds.
BeMINT (where MINT stands for STEM in German: Mathematics, Information Technology, Science, and Technology) receives support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and is executed by the globally active foundation Siemens Stiftung along with the Nigerian non-governmental organization Empowering Africans through Education Initiative (EAE).
This three-year program combines training and internships to provide school leavers with essential practical and digital skills needed for success in the 21st-century world marked by rapid technological progress and digitization.
“The digital revolution has reshaped societies and economies but has also exacerbated gender and social disparities. According to the United Nations, women make up just 22% of roles in science, technology, engineering, and math fields. BeMINT_Nigeria aims to address this imbalance by promoting female involvement and improving access to digital education for young people from underprivileged areas. This participant-focused initiative promotes equitable economic engagement and equips Nigeria’s future leaders with essential 21st-century competencies,” explains Dr. Nina Smidt, who serves as the CEO and spokesperson for Siemens Stiftung.
The core of this initiative revolves around the newly established makerspace, which serves as a central location for educational growth and community involvement. This space grants participants convenient access to 3D technology, tools, and materials, enabling them to bring their preliminary concepts and models to life. Moreover, individuals have complimentary use of “Siemens Hours of Engineering,” a cloud-based platform provided by Siemens Digital Industries. This tool offers an accessible entry into computer-aided design and fosters problem-solving skills.
During the launch event, the German Consul General in Lagos, Mr. Weert Börner stated, “InVESTMENTS IN DIGITAL EDUCATION ARE CRUCIAL FOR ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION. By developing digital infrastructure AND enhancing educational opportunities THAT WIDEN THE CAREER PATHS available to young Nigerians—particularly young women—we can foster more robust collaboration between Nigeria and Germany. Given that 70 percent OF THE COUNTRY’S POPULATION IS UNDER 35 YEARS OLD, this demographic offers an unparalleled foundation upon which TO GROW NIGERIA’S DIGITAL SECTOR.”
In the coming few years, nine groups with 45 participants each will be exposed to three key areas: Information Technology, career guidance, and business startup skills.
Every participant gets extensive interdisciplinary training, obtaining hands-on experience with digital platforms as well as acquiring knowledge about AI tools to boost their competitive edge in the job market.
We are expanding upon the achievements of the project’s initial stage, which commenced in 2022. This phase has cultivated graduates who are both skilled and assured, many of whom are currently employed at prestigious international firms such as Google and Microsoft, alongside various small and medium-sized enterprises in Nigeria.
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