The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has launch the Edo Tech Park, a silicon-valley-styled technology hub that would train 15,000 software engineers in the state in five years and link them with high-paying in-demand technology jobs from around the world.
The park was launched yesterday December 14, 2020, while the first intake will be admitted in February, 2021 to commence training.
Today he said “I launched the Edo Tech Park, yesterday in Benin City during an event themed, ‘Building the next generation of tech leaders.’ I reiterated my administration’s commitment to focus on tech and create a digital economy before 2025”.
In a statement, the Governor said “the park is to be run in partnership with Decagon, an elite software engineering and leadership training institute, for the recruitment and training of young unemployed graduates in the state, who will be trained to launch a career in software engineering”.
Governor Obaseki said “the programme is structured to build the capacity of Edo youths to fill the global supply gap of tech talent, adding that it will provide opportunity for foreign exchange earnings and boost the local economy.
The Edo Tech Park is open to youths with the right skill-set across the state. We hope to train and host a minimum of 15,000 software developers in the next four years.
According to him, “The Edo Tech Park is an elaborate initiative to provide high-paying jobs to youths and build their capacity to compete globally for technology jobs. The State Government has strategically invested in infrastructure to ensure the success of the project, which includes stable electricity and broadband internet connectivity delivered through the fibre-optic cable network in the state.”
The Governor further noted: “The Park is part of Edo State Government’s move towards plugging this gap and allowing her youths tap into this growing demand for tech talent globally. This will open up opportunities for foreign exchange earnings, boost our internally generated revenue (IGR) and expand the local economy while also rewriting the narrative of being the hub for human trafficking activities.”
“The Park will be fitted with live-work apartments, training facilities, 24/7 power supply and reliable high-speed internet,” he assured.