About SAIL Innovation Lab
In recent years, Nigeria has faced unprecedented economic challenges ostensibly caused by the recession, shrinking oil revenues, and the Coronavirus. The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS reported that the youth unemployment rate in Nigeria increased to 53.40 percent in the fourth quarter of 2020 from 40.80 percent in the second quarter of 2020.
At this critical period in the nation’s history, Nigeria urgently needs a crop of leaders who are in tune with global trends and ready to harness the enormous opportunities that the current digital revolution age presents for the overall advancement of the people. Having failed to maximize the possibilities of the agricultural and industrial ages, It will be disastrous for the nation to lose out again in the digital revolution era.
Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru is one of the few leaders who are aligning with the realities of now and the future by onboarding his constituents on the tech and digital revolution. He knows that jobs and opportunities of the future reside in tech.
As a discerning leader, he saw how technology is shaping social interactions, modes of worship, commerce, education, and even politics. This necessitated the establishment of the SAIL Innovation Lab, the first of its kind in Lagos East Senatorial District.
SAIL, an initiative of the SAIL Foundation is a dedicated Innovation and tech lab that is providing relevant technology, business, and digital skills to tech enthusiasts and young entrepreneurs across the Lagos East Senatorial District.
In driving SAIL, Abiru partnered with Co-creation Hub (Cc-Hub), a dedicated Innovation and tech company that makes use of social capital & technology to accelerate economic prosperity. In order to develop training programmes that will be most impactful, in 2021, Cc-Hub, with the Senator’s team conducted a survey using a human-centered design approach across selected locations in the Lagos East Senatorial District. The preponderance of responses from constituents surveyed informed the design of the 5 pilot programmes.
SAIL Innovation Lab has continued to make significant strides in empowering individuals across Lagos East Senatorial District with the skills and opportunities required for the digital age.
To date, 6,417 teachers have been equipped with essential digital teaching competencies, strengthening the foundational quality of education in our communities. In parallel, 1,981 individuals have been trained in relevant tech skills, positioning them for emerging opportunities within the digital economy.
Furthering its commitment to STEM education, the Lab has supported 713 students through dedicated STEM programmes. In addition, 349 tech talents have secured job placements—an important testament to the Lab’s focus on employability and real-world outcomes.
The impact extends into enterprise as well, with 38 entrepreneurs equipped with the tools and knowledge to scale their innovations and contribute meaningfully to the economy.
Together, these milestones underscore SAIL Innovation Lab’s role as a beacon for youth development, digital empowerment, and inclusive innovation in Lagos East Senatorial district.
Visit https://sailab.ng for more information
