The
first and second sessions of MTN Foundation’s ICT and Business Skill
training, held between April 25 – May 13, 2022. The training designed
for 3000 young entrepreneurs between 18-35 years who own or manage a
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) for at least two years, had
participants from Kogi, Adamawa, Jigawa, Anambra, Cross River, and Lagos
States.
The training session began with Google, and after a two-week-long intensive training on the virtual platform, Oluwatumise Ife-Abidakun led the concluding training session on Friday, May 6, 2022. Participants were taught how to use digital marketing tools and social media to grow their business online. The Google training had three learning agendas. The first focused on how business owners can set up and optimise their Google My Business (GMB) listing. The second schedule was to show the trainees how to plan their digital marketing strategy, and the third learning agenda focused on how the participants can leverage social media channels and email marketing in their business.
Speaking on the training, Oluwatumise said that she believes the event has been very rewarding to the participants. “The
participants already had a basic knowledge of the things taught; an
example was setting Google My Business listing. However, most of the
participants were just hearing them for the first time. Therefore, it
created an opportunity for the participants to learn something new
during the training” she said.
The
second training session was in partnership with Microsoft, and the
training ran for a period of one week. The final training led by John
Oparaji from Tech4dev and Promise Ederagobor, held on Friday, May 13.
The training focused on Microsoft tools, especially PowerPoint.
Participants were taught the different uses of Microsoft PowerPoint, and
how to efficiently make use of the tool to advance their respective
businesses.
Speaking
on the training, John said that the feedback received from the
participants has been positive, as participants are well invested in the
program and many of them appreciate the efforts of the MTN Foundation. “The participants ask questions, work on what they have learned, give feedback, and ask more questions for clarity,” he said.
After
the presentation by the training instructors, some participants used
the same medium to commend the MTN Foundation and the partners, Google
and Microsoft, for the training opportunity and provision during the
training.
The ICT and Business Skills training by the MTN Foundation
is aimed at improving the entrepreneurial and employability abilities
of young Nigerian entrepreneurs. The training will run for a period of
four weeks in partnership with other ecosystem partners, including Meta.