August 22nd 2023 was a great day for GoMyCode, a renowned technology education platform, which recently launched a groundbreaking hackerspace in Abuja, Nigeria. Founded in the Netherlands by Yahya Bouhlel a Tunisian citizen and his brother Amine Bouhlel, GoMyCode strives to enhance not just the digital skills of an adult but encourage and groom the innate knowledge of children who are technically motivated to create and grow as valuable members of society.
With an impressive track record of empowering 20,000 students across various disciplines, equipping them with the necessary skills to excel in the digital landscape in nine countries namely; Tunisia, Nigeria, Morocco, Senegal, Algeria, Kenya, Jordan, Côte d’Ivoire and Egypt. The company is on a revolutionary mission to democratise education by empowering individuals with the skills needed to thrive in the current digital age. With a formidable extensive network of hackerspaces; GoMyCode currently has five physical spaces in Nigeria; Yaba, Ikeja, Festac, Lekki; in Lagos with Abuja being the latest of its accomplishments.
This new endeavour aims to further address the pressing issue of unemployment, both locally and globally, by leveraging digital connectivity and empowering individuals, particularly women and children. With its innovative approach, GoMyCode’s initiative holds great promise in transforming the job market and enhancing economic development in Nigeria. This comes at a time where the Nigerian Government is embarking on a visionary plan to provide ample employment opportunities for over one million Nigerian youth, GoMyCode seeks to play a significant role by training young individuals to become skilled professionals and invaluable assets to society through digital connectivity.
“We are thrilled with the Nigerian Government’s visionary mission to address youth unemployment through skills development. At GoMyCode, we firmly believe that by investing in tech education, this plays a critical role in shaping the future workforce,” stated Babatunde Olaifa, Country Director of GoMyCode. “By training and empowering the Nigerian youth, we will be enabling them to turn their potential into reality, while further bolstering economic growth, and fostering a culture of innovation.” this was emphasised by the keynote speaker Mr.Inyene Ibanga the Lead, Corporate and Communications officer of the office for National Digital Innovation (ONDI) who represented the Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi; who stressed on the importance of Hackerspaces to improve the economy of Nigeria. He lauded the team’s approach for opening physical spaces where individuals from diverse backgrounds can have access to information and facilitators. This brings to the mind several crucial factors as to why the Abuja launch was important.
Firstly, technology over the years has become an integral part of every industry on and offline, and those equipped with digital skills are more likely to find employment opportunities than those without. By offering a dedicated space for learning and upskilling, GoMyCode will be bridging the existing skill gap by providing individuals with the expertise needed to thrive in the digital era. Secondly, the hackerspace serves as a community for aspiring tech professionals, entrepreneurs, and freelancers, offering them an environment conducive to collaboration, innovation, and networking. This sense of community propels knowledge sharing, industry partnerships, and the creation of new job opportunities.
As unemployment remains a significant challenge, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria; GoMyCode’s tech space tackles this issue head-on by providing access to high-quality tech education and training. By offering affordable and flexible programs, where individuals can acquire in-demand skills such as web development, data science, artificial intelligence, and more. Furthermore, GoMyCode’s progressive initiative addresses the issue of unemployment by enabling remote work opportunities through its focus on digital connectivity as well as online learning. With remote work gaining popularity globally, GoMyCode’s tech space equips individuals with the skills necessary to secure these remote job opportunities, thus broadening the horizon of employment prospects.
It is important to note that in GoMyCode’s bid to adhere to one of the SDG goals it also embarks on the journey of ensuring inclusiveness while closing the gender disparity gap by empowering women and children. GoMyCode’s tech space places a strong emphasis on empowering women and children and bridging the gender gap in the tech industry. By facilitating access to tech education and creating a supportive environment, GoMyCode encourages more women to enter the field and pursue opportunities in technology. Additionally, the tech space offers dedicated programs and resources for children, equipping them with essential digital skills from a young age.
There was pleasant excitement in the air as parents, potential students, tech inclined individuals, techpreneurs as well as well wishers attended the opening to commemorate the team on such an endearing feat. The success of GoMyCode’s Abuja launch was further attributed to its welcoming space, unique educational approach, which combines theoretical learning with practical application; with students acquiring skills through project-based learning, workshops, and mentorship programs, ensuring a comprehensive and engaging learning experience as presented during the immersive tour.
In Conclusion the launch of GoMyCode’s tech space in Abuja, Nigeria, represents the much needed positive significant step towards addressing unemployment especially among youth, the need to promote economic development, and empowering individuals in the digital age. By leveraging digital connectivity, providing high-quality tech education, and fostering a supportive community, this new initiative will undoubtedly open up job market opportunities not only for the local population but also on a global scale. Through its focus on empowering women and children, GoMyCode is definitely paving the way for a more inclusive and prosperous future.
To learn more about GoMyCode and their offerings, visit their website at www.gomycode.online.
