From Abuja to the Global Market: Skills Programme Opens Digital Careers for Nigerian Women

Nigeria’s push to compete in the global digital economy is gaining momentum as private sector players step up to close the skills gap—particularly for women.

Parasol BPO, in partnership with Generation Ghana and supported by The Coca-Cola Foundation, is equipping young Nigerian women with in-demand digital skills to compete for jobs beyond the country’s borders. The initiative focuses on practical, employer-driven training designed to align with what global companies are actively seeking.

Managing Partner of Parasol BPO, Bankole Ojo-Medubi, said the modern Nigerian job seeker is no longer measured against local peers alone, but against talent from countries such as India, the Philippines, Bangladesh and Kenya. He noted that without globally relevant skills, many young people risk being locked out of emerging opportunities in the digital workspace.

To address this challenge, Parasol BPO and Generation Ghana rolled out a fully funded 14-week online Digital Marketing programme targeted at women in Abuja seeking to enter the digital economy. The initiative, now in its second cohort, builds on a pilot phase conducted last year.

According to Ojo-Medubi, the pilot recorded strong outcomes, with about 70 per cent of participants securing employment within 90 days of completing the programme. Completion rates also stood at 96 per cent, with nearly all graduates now engaged in paid work or digital roles.

Buoyed by the results, the organisers increased the number of participants in the current cohort to 20 and are planning a wider rollout across Nigeria. Similar programmes are already underway in Ghana, where between 80 and 100 participants are currently enrolled.

Ojo-Medubi explained that the emphasis on women was intentional, given their continued underrepresentation in the workforce. Rather than focusing solely on advocacy, he said the programme prioritises high-value skills—such as digital marketing—that are actively demanded by employers worldwide.

He added that Parasol BPO has delivered over 300,000 work hours to clients across the United States, United Kingdom, Europe and Africa, generating insights that help refine training and improve the global competitiveness of Nigerian talent.

Beyond employment statistics, Ojo-Medubi said access to international work opportunities has had life-changing effects for participants, with some transitioning from low-income local jobs to significantly higher earnings, positively impacting their families and communities.

Looking ahead, Parasol BPO plans to extend the initiative to other states, including Kaduna, Kano and Makurdi, using its existing offices to broaden reach. Ojo-Medubi also stressed the role of strong partnerships, accountability and impact storytelling in attracting sustained funding and government support.

He described skills-based programmes as essential to bridging the gap between traditional education and the realities of today’s global labour market, noting that with the right collaboration, such initiatives can drive inclusive growth and reduce youth unemployment nationwide.