Darey.io, in partnership with XTERNS.ai, has officially opened a new tech hub in Yaba, Lagos, aimed at equipping tech enthusiasts and entrepreneurs with world-class digital skills and connecting them to global opportunities. The hub, launched on Saturday, March 15, 2025, was established in collaboration with the federal government’s Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program.
The initiative has already engaged over 100,000 learners and is part of an ambitious plan to train millions of tech talents across Nigeria. The project leverages a Proof-of-Skills Hiring model, designed to drive digital economic growth by ensuring that graduates are not only trained but also integrated into the workforce.
Nigeria’s youth population: A strategic advantage
Speaking at the launch, Francis Sani, Technical Adviser for Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Capital to the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, highlighted Nigeria’s demographic advantage. He noted that Nigeria has the largest youth population in Africa, with a median age of 16 years, compared to 38 in the U.S. and 46 in Japan. This, he said, positions the country as a key player in the global tech competitiveness race.
However, Sani emphasized that access to quality training and employment pathways remains a significant challenge. “We have the talent, we have the ambition, but we must scale up digital skills to compete globally,” he stated.
Bridging the gap between learning and earning
The XTERNS Hub is designed to bridge the gap between learning and earning by ensuring that graduates are equipped with practical skills and directly integrated into the workforce. Dare Olufunmilayo, founder of Darey.io, explained that the hub’s Proof-of-Skills Hiring model eliminates the traditional wait-for-hiring approach. “No one has to wait to be hired; our system ensures talent proves itself before stepping into an interview,” he said.
Olufunmilayo also highlighted the success of Darey.io in launching the careers of thousands of Nigerians, many of whom now work for top global companies, launch startups, and create innovative solutions. “XTERNS.ai is our next big leap—where we don’t just train talents; we integrate them directly into the workforce,” he added.
The event’s theme, “Tech & Tea: Brewing Nigeria’s Technology Innovation Future,” reflects the belief that building a thriving digital economy requires the right mix of talent, innovation, and collaboration.
Addressing infrastructure and hardware challenges
One of the major limitations to digital innovation in Nigeria has been inadequate infrastructure, particularly internet access. However, Sani revealed that the country is making significant strides in this area. “We are currently at about 35,000 kilometres of fibre. The $2 billion broadband expansion project will add 90,000 kilometres more in the next two years,” he said. This expansion is expected to position Nigeria among the top 10 countries globally in internet penetration and connect remote areas to the digital economy.
Another challenge is the high cost of hardware, with basic laptops now priced at an average of ₦500,000. To address this, Darey.io is launching the Dare Olufunmilayo Human Capital Foundation, which will provide laptops and stipends to learners. Olufunmilayo called for increased private sector involvement, stating, “Government alone cannot do this. We must collaborate to give young people the tools they need to succeed.”
AI, automation, and the future of work
With the rise of AI and automation, the nature of work is rapidly evolving. Both Olufunmilayo and Sani stressed the need for Nigeria to transition from being a technology consumer to a producer. “The world will look very different in five years,” Sani said. “This is another Industrial Revolution. The question is: will Nigeria be on the side of consumers or creators?”
To ensure Nigeria remains on the right side of history, XTERNS.ai is incorporating AI-powered project-based learning to provide graduates with real-world experience. With 5,000 learners trained in the last four years and a talent pipeline of over 100,000, Darey.io and XTERNS.ai are scaling operations rapidly. The next target is to train 3 million professionals, a goal that will require government support, private sector investment, and international collaboration.
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