DIPLOMAN TIMES

The Commissioner emphasised that collaboration between government and the private sector remains essential for preparing young people to participate effectively in an increasingly technology-driven economy. He reaffirmed the Ministry's willingness to work with organisations whose programmes align with the state's digital development priorities and long-term human capital objectives.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Jennifer E. N. Aisuan, disclosed that a joint technical committee would be established to evaluate Genius Hub's curriculum and training programmes in order to identify practical areas for collaboration. She added that Ministry officials would also undertake an assessment visit to the organisation's facilities to examine its operations and determine opportunities for a sustainable partnership capable of strengthening digital skills development, innovation and employment creation within Edo State.

Earlier, the Group Managing Director of Genius Hub, Mrs. Isimeme Whyte, explained that the visit was prompted by the Ministry's recent stakeholder engagement and the alignment of its outcomes with the organisation's ongoing programmes. She outlined the organisation's work across forty-five skills areas, including information technology training, business incubation, labour advisory services, entrepreneurship development, creative industries, job matching and programmes addressing irregular migration, human trafficking and gender-based violence. She expressed confidence that collaboration with the Ministry would broaden opportunities for digital skills acquisition and employment among young people in Edo State.

The proposed partnership reflects an institutional approach to digital economy development that combines public-sector policy direction with private-sector technical expertise. Leveraging specialised organisations to support government objectives can accelerate the delivery of digital skills programmes while expanding access to training opportunities for young people.

The decision to establish a joint technical committee before formalising collaboration demonstrates a structured governance process for evaluating programme quality, institutional capacity and strategic alignment. Such due diligence helps ensure that public-private partnerships are based on clearly defined objectives, measurable outcomes and complementary institutional strengths.

Strengthening digital skills development also supports broader human capital objectives by preparing individuals for participation in an increasingly knowledge-based and technology-driven economy. Expanding access to practical digital competencies can improve employability, encourage entrepreneurship and contribute to the development of a more competitive workforce capable of responding to evolving labour market demands.

The organisation's broad training portfolio, which includes technology, entrepreneurship, business incubation and social development programmes, presents opportunities for integrated skills development that extends beyond technical education alone. Collaboration in these areas may contribute to wider government priorities relating to youth empowerment, innovation, employment generation and social inclusion.

Overall, the engagement demonstrates Edo State's commitment to advancing its digital transformation agenda through strategic partnerships that strengthen institutional capacity, expand digital literacy and support long-term economic development. By combining government leadership with private-sector expertise, the proposed collaboration seeks to build a more resilient digital ecosystem capable of enhancing innovation and creating sustainable opportunities for citizens.