The rector of Yaba College of Technology, Ibraheem Abdul, has reaffirmed the institution’s dedication to empowering Nigerian youths through strategic partnerships that drive innovation and skills development.

Yabatech’s spokesperson, Adekunle Adams, stated this on Tuesday in Lagos during a formal engagement with Semicolon Africa Limited, a leading technology training and talent development organisation.

According to him, the partnership aims to strengthen collaboration between both institutions to enhance human capital development and promote digital innovation across Nigeria’s education and technology sectors.

The rector noted that YABATECH’s collaboration with Semicolon was not new, saying both organisations had long worked together to build youth capacity through technology-driven initiatives.

“Our journey did not start today. This partnership has grown to the next level, and we are ensuring it continues and becomes more formalised,” he said.

Mr Abdul emphasised that investment in human capital remains critical to national progress, describing it as a cornerstone for sustainable growth and economic advancement.

“The issue of building the capacity of our citizens is paramount. Developing the capability of our people is even more important than any other investment,” he said.

He commended Semicolon Africa for its ongoing efforts in training Nigerian youths and equipping them with relevant skills for global competitiveness and future employment opportunities.

“I want to thank Semicolon for their commitment to Nigeria’s development. Together, we are developing skills that help our students contribute innovative solutions,” he added.

Yabatech, he said, remains open to new ideas that promote learning, entrepreneurship, and opportunities for students in a technology-driven environment.

Both institutions formalised their collaboration through a memorandum of understanding to strengthen training, mentorship, and innovation-focused initiatives.

The CEO of Semicolon Africa, Sam Immanuel, stated that the organisation’s focus is on training young people to become employable and self-reliant in today’s competitive job market.

“To address youth unemployment, our focus has been to train people to get jobs,” he said, noting that Semicolon provides hands-on education in engineering and technology.

He said the organisation has partnered with a United Kingdom business school since 2019 to enhance its programmes and align them with international standards. According to him, the renewed collaboration with Yabatech aims to strengthen the town-and-gown relationship between academia and the private sector in driving innovation.

“We are passionate about this partnership with Yabatech. Together, we will empower more young people and foster innovation across Nigeria,” Mr Immanuel said.

Semicolon, established to bridge the gap between education and employment, has trained hundreds of Nigerians in software engineering, data analysis, and product design.

Director of the Centre for Linkages, Partnerships and International Relations, Moshood Ajala, described Semicolon as a dependable ally committed to empowering students and promoting employability. He said Semicolon had consistently supported Yabatech through programmes aimed at equipping students with skills required for the modern workplace and digital economy.

“They have been a good partner to the college. Their focus aligns with ours on human capital development,” Mr Ajala said.

He praised Semicolon for inspiring both staff and students, stressing that such partnerships are vital for bridging the gap between academia and industry.

(NAN)