MTN Foundation, Google and Microsoft have partnered to empower 3000 young entrepreneurs of between 18 and 35 who own or manage a Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) for at least two years.
It was the first and second sessions of MTN Foundation’s ICT and Business Skill training, held between April 25 and May 13, this year. The training had participants from Kogi, Adamawa, Jigawa, Anambra, Cross River and Lagos states.
The event began with Google, and after a two-week intensive training on the virtual platform, Oluwatumise Ife-Abidakun led the concluding 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.
Oluwatumise she believes the event has been 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 session was in partnership with Microsoft, and the training ran for one week. The final training led by John Oparaji from Tech4dev and Promise Ederagobor, was held on May 13. It focused on Microsoft tools, especially PowerPoint. Participants were taught the uses of Microsoft PowerPoint, and how to make use of the tool to advance their respective businesses.John said 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.
