A new effort to bridge the global shortage of cloud computing professionals, on Monday, got underway in Kwara State as 30 youths commenced training under the Amazon Web Services (AWS) re/Start programme.

The programme, launched on Monday in a collaboration involving AWS, IHS Nigeria and the Kwara State Government, will equip unemployed and underemployed youths with practical cloud computing skills for entry-level careers in the global technology industry.

The participants, drawn from various backgrounds, will undergo three months of cohort-based training that combines technical instruction, professional skills development and career support, with opportunities to connect employers in the cloud computing ecosystem.

The Specialist, Global IT Systems Security and Cloud Infrastructure Administration at the IHS Nigeria, Habeeb Salawu, described the initiative as “another milestone in efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy by investing in human capital.”

According to him, “innovation will only thrive on the foundation of reliable infrastructure, sustainable investment and skilled manpower,” adding that IHS Nigeria remained committed to expanding digital inclusion in Nigeria.

“This initiative represents another important milestone in our journey to drive innovation and equip young Nigerians with the digital skills needed to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven world.

“At IHS Nigeria, we understand that innovation cannot thrive in isolation. It requires a solid foundation built on reliable infrastructure, sustainable investment and human capacity. This is why we are enabling connectivity, empowering communities and building Nigeria’s digital future,” he stated.

Salawu said the company, a member of the global IHS Towers group, currently owns and manages about 16,000 telecommunications towers in Nigeria, having deployed over 15,000 kilometres of fibre infrastructure in Nigeria.

He said the infrastructure supports millions of Nigerians daily by providing the backbone for voice, broadband and data services, while enabling businesses and startups to scale their digital operations.

On the significance of the programme, Salawu noted that cloud computing had become one of the fastest-growing global sectors, creating a huge demand for skilled professionals.

He said research by talent intelligence platform Draup showed that while 7.8 million cloud-related jobs had been advertised across 45 countries, there were only about 2.8 million qualified cloud professionals, leaving a gap of approximately five million workers.

“The AWS re/Start programme is designed to bridge that gap. It helps unemployed and underemployed individuals build cloud computing skills and launch careers in cloud technology,” he said.

Also, the facilitator, Reungeler Lucas said the AWS re/Start initiative had already connected over 30,000 learners to employment opportunities.

He said the programme was specifically designed to reskill individuals from diverse backgrounds for entry-level cloud roles, including cloud administration, cloud operations, site reliability engineering and infrastructure support.

The Director of Programmes at the Ilorin Innovation Hub, Zumah Yahaya, described the launch as a significant step towards making world-class digital skills accessible to young people in Kwara State.

She noted that the hub was established not merely as a physical structure but as a centre for transforming lives through technology and innovation.

“For too long, world-class cloud computing expertise was a luxury exclusive to Lagos or Silicon Valley. Today, we are bringing the global digital economy home to the heart of Kwara State,” she said.

She commended IHS Nigeria and AWS for investing in the potential of Nigerian youths by making the programme available free of charge.

“They are not just sponsoring a curriculum; they are investing in the untapped potential of Nigerian youths. They believe you are the architects of our digital future,” Yahaya added.

One of the participants, Fatima Bello, a student of the University of Ilorin, said she enrolled in the programme to become a certified AWS cloud practitioner and gain practical knowledge of cloud infrastructure and architecture.

“I also want to connect with like-minded individuals who are genuinely interested in cloud computing,” she said.