The Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) has graduated its second cohort of the IT Bridge Academy, a specialised nine-month training programme aimed at equipping persons with disabilities with digital skills and internationally recognised certifications.
The programme, a collaboration between DBI and Sightsavers International, trained 24 participants, of whom 23 passed the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification alongside other courses in product management, digital marketing, e-commerce, data analysis, and visualisation.
Speaking in Lagos at the graduation ceremony on Thursday, Viola Askia-Usoro, head of special duties, who represented David Daser, the president and CEO of DBI, reiterated the institute’s commitment to fostering an inclusive learning environment.
She emphasised that the programme aligns with the Nigerian government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises youth empowerment and skills development, particularly for underserved groups.
“We need to move beyond token inclusion and ensure that persons with disabilities are fully integrated into our workforce. With the right training and support, they can excel in various sectors, especially in technology, which offers immense opportunities for remote and flexible employment,” Askia-Usoro noted.
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Joy Shuaibu, country director for Sightsavers in Nigeria, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to disability inclusion.
“Sightsavers is an international organisation, 75 years old this year, working in Nigeria for 72 years. We ensure that nobody goes blind from a preventable cause and that persons with disabilities have equal access to health, education, and work,” she said.
She acknowledged Nigeria’s progress in disability inclusion but noted that more work remains.
“As a nation, we have a long way to go. These are baby steps for us for obvious reasons. But we’re very happy that Nigeria has the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities championing this cause, and that the private sector is also making workplaces more inclusive,” Shuaibu added.
Emeka Nzeih, head of Learning and Development at DBI, highlighted the importance of digital inclusion for persons with disabilities.
“Persons with disabilities are one neglected sector of society. Among them are very intelligent individuals who face several barriers, including access to specialised training of this nature. Digital Bridge Institute, in partnership with Sightsavers International, decided to target them, to give them a new lease of life and opportunities,” Nzeih said.
He also noted the success of the initiative, revealing that some graduates from the first cohort are currently interning at a top telecoms company in Nigeria, including MTN, one of the sponsors of the programme. “They are doing as good as persons without disabilities,” he added.
Genevieve Ikejiofor, head of Campus at DBI Lagos, emphasised the broader impact of the programme on Nigerian society, particularly in the wake of the government’s focus on ICT.
“With the training of this cohort and empowering them to be self-employed, I believe other organisations and donors will come in to support this initiative,” she said.
A representative from Cisco, speaking at the event, emphasised the company’s global efforts to drive digital empowerment.
“We have trained over 24 million students worldwide through the Cisco Networking Academy, including more than 200,000 persons with disabilities. The success of this second cohort in Nigeria is a testament to what is possible when organisations invest in inclusive education and training,” the Cisco representative said.
The newly certified graduates, visibly excited about their achievements, shared their experiences and aspirations for the future. The class governor, speaking on behalf of the cohort, acknowledged the challenges they faced but expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn and grow.
“This program has transformed our lives. Many of us started with little or no experience in IT, but today, we have gained valuable skills that make us competitive in the job market. Now, we call on private companies, government agencies, and startups to open their doors to us. We are ready to work, contribute, and make a difference,” he said.
