Nigeria’s fastest growing retail bank, Diamond Bank, has announced plans to engage no fewer than 500,000 children between seven and 15 years old in computer coding and technology development.
This initiative followed the growing interest and use in technology which has also become a significant part of the society.
According to the bank’s Managing Director, Uzoma Dozie, the bank would be partnering Code Camp Africa, a technology capacity development company, to carry out the project which aligns with its vision of empowering young Nigerians with the language of technology as well as its focus on developing homegrown talent across all fields.
Dozie noted that, “The future of almost everything in modern days is technology and this also depends on the ability to use technology. The Western world is outsourcing jobs to India because of its ability to write code. It is paramount that we develop in this area of development.”
He added that the bank collaborated with Code Camp Africa and programming firm, Andela Limited to deliver a five-week programme that equipped about 25 youngsters with knowledge and skills in various computer languages.
“In 10 years’ time, these kids can work in Nigeria and across the world. It is critical that we equip these children with the ability to code and understand the language of technology”, he said.
According to Code Camp Africa promoter, Mr. Edwin Momife, Nigeria had attained a level where her citizens needed to get to code and use technology to solve problems, adding, “If you learn how to code, you become a global citizen”.
