UMUAHIA, Nigeria – Abia State Governor Alex Otti has approved automatic employment in the state civil service for 19 top-performing graduates of the government-sponsored TechRise digital skills programme.
Otti announced the employment and other incentives during the graduation ceremony for the third cohort of TechRise participants in Umuahia, the capital of Abia State. Okay News reports that 850 youths completed the latest round of information and communications technology (ICT) training.
Each graduate received a cash grant of ₦100,000 (approximately $65), according to the statement, as well as ownership of the laptops used during the training.
The governor said the support was intended to help participants pursue freelancing, establish technology businesses and secure remote employment opportunities.
Otti also directed state ministries, departments and agencies to engage TechRise graduates in public-sector digitisation projects. He said the government was preparing a specialised salary structure for technology professionals in the Abia State Civil Service.
The governor highlighted projects developed by participants during the programme, including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, designed by a team of graduates.
He pledged government funding and technical support to help develop the drone project for commercial use.
Otti urged the graduates to use their digital skills for legitimate business and social development rather than cybercrime.
He also said the state government was working with telecommunications company MTN Nigeria to expand broadband connectivity across Abia and establish internationally accredited information and communications technology certification centres.
