PalmPay Youth Training partners with Nigeria’s Ministry of Youth Development to equip over one million young Nigerians with data protection and digital safety skills

PalmPay Youth Training kicks off a landmark initiative to equip over one million Nigerian youths with essential skills in data protection and digital safety over the next three years.

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The Youth Data Protection Awareness and Training programme, unveiled at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, aims to help young Nigerians navigate the digital space securely.

With youths making up more than 70 percent of Nigeria’s population, the initiative is considered critical for fostering trust, security, and innovation in Africa’s largest digital economy.

“This is about building a privacy-first generation, one that is inclusive, future-facing, and globally competitive,” said Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande.

He emphasized that awareness of Nigeria’s 2023 Data Protection Act remains low and highlighted the shortage of certified Data Protection Officers despite over 500,000 active data controllers nationwide.

PalmPay Managing Director Chika Nwosu added, “Data protection is as important as innovation in tech. Our aim is to ensure user information remains safe while empowering youths with the skills they need to thrive.”

Top-performing participants will also receive mentorship and internship placements, expanding PalmPay’s broader youth-focused initiatives such as the Purple Woman campaign and Passing the Baton CSR programme, which have already supported thousands of young Nigerians.

With plans to expand training into northern states, PalmPay Youth Training will eventually cover the entire nation, strengthening digital literacy and preparing a workforce ready for Nigeria’s technology-driven economy.