The Lagos State Government has launched two Coding Centres set up by 9mobile for CodeLagos, an initiative of the Lagos State Ministry of Education. This is as the government charged the private sector to key into this new initiative with a view to making coding education framework accessible to every student in the State.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Obafela Bank-Olemoh who launched the programme at Rabiatu Thompson Memorial Primary School, Surulere on Wednesday reiterated the commitment of the government to training one million Lagos residence in coding.
Mr. Bank-Olemoh who was represented by the Director General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo explained that the CodeLagos is a first-of-its-kind initiative that would enable students in the State to harness, create and leverage on the 21st century opportunities as well as increase their employment and business opportunities in the technology sector while enhancing the State’s global competitiveness and best practices.
In his words, “this new initiative is aimed at using technology to drive the economy and infrastructure development of the State as it is envisioned to make Lagos the technology frontier in Africa.”
According to him, the CodeLagos would enable the State Government equip students and pupils with necessary digital skills to meet growing demand for technology solutions and approach the world of work as problem solvers.
“By learning to code, students would also enhance their logical reasoning, problem solving and creative thinking skills set among others,” he said.
He noted that CodeLagos also sought to teach at least one million Lagos students to code by 2019 and foster necessary skills to create sustainable solutions to social challenges and create employment opportunities, hence, he called on the private sector to continue to partner with the State Government to realize this objective.
