Tech Sabi

As of 2021, there are over half a million Nigerian Americans, with 55% being migrants and 45% born in the USA. They tend to be highly educated; 63% have college degrees and 19% have postgraduate degrees. However, their earnings were diverse, with 35% of households earning less than $50,000 and 10.3% earning $200,000 or more. Nigerian Americans are also overrepresented in lower-paying jobs and underrepresented in higher-wage careers, including the high-tech sector. Their representation in executive positions is less than 0.1%, and less than 1% in executive and managerial positions combined at leading Silicon Valley firms. Although many Nigerians pursue higher degrees, that doesn’t necessarily lead to comparable income increases. Many Nigerian Americans over 65 are still working, and have a mean retirement income of $22,081, which is less than the national average of $27,218. Underemployment contributed to lower earnings, and many highlighted the lack of mentorship and advocacy.

The "Tech Sabi" program is strategically designed to address the specific challenges and needs of the Nigerian American community by promoting digital literacy, providing access to high-demand tech training, fostering mentorship, and ultimately improving economic mobility and representation within the technology sector.

Our solution serves Nigerian American communities, and intends to impact them by:

1.  Improving Economic Mobility: By providing training and mentorship in high-demand tech fields, the program directly tackles the issue of underemployment and limited representation of Nigerian Americans in lucrative tech careers.

2.  Bridging the Digital Divide: The program's focus on digital literacy for older adults directly addresses the challenges faced by this segment of the community in navigating the digital economy and accessing new career opportunities. This is crucial given that many Nigerian Americans over 65 are still working and need to adapt to the changing job market.

3.  Providing Mentorship and Advocacy: The program's emphasis on peer-to-peer learning and mentorship directly responds to the lack of mentorship and advocacy highlighted as a significant barrier to career advancement for Nigerian Americans.

4.  Increasing Representation in Tech Leadership: The program's focus on skill development and mentorship aims to increase the representation of Nigerian Americans in executive and managerial positions within the tech sector, where they are currently underrepresented.

The "Tech Sabi" program benefits from strong partnerships with organizations deeply rooted in the Nigerian-American community:

The Institute for International Training and Development (IITD): Founded in 2005, IITD focuses on building human capacity through partnerships with governments, institutions, and organizations, bringing extensive experience in training and development to "Tech Sabi." The founders are also members of the Nigerian American community, and were former executives of NIDOA-Ohio. 

Odibo: Launched in 2022 to address the skills gap and enhance employability among Africans, Odibo provides modern, accessible training programs, along with mentorship, networking, and job placement support, aligning perfectly with "Tech Sabi's" goals. The founder is member of the Nigerian American community and is currently the vice president of NIDOA-Ohio. 

Odibo, which would be the primary partner for this program, has been doing tech training in Nigeria since 2022, and has 5 graduates who can serve as mentors.

The program's innovative approach rests on its four pillars:

1) Peer-to-Peer Learning: Leveraging the expertise of recent trainees who will mentor and guide new participants, fostering a supportive learning environment.

2) Project-Oriented Learning: Regular projects will enable participants to demonstrate their skills and meet real-world deadlines, ensuring the practical application of knowledge. Furthermore, many of their deliverables (such as producing "how-to" videos to demonstrate proficiency) will be extremely helpful to future participants and increase the knowledge base available.

3) Collaborative Learning: Encouraging teamwork and cross-cultural exchange through partnerships with participants in Nigeria, facilitating technology transfer and global perspectives.

4) Service Learning: Guiding participants towards volunteer opportunities that allow them to give back to the community while further developing their skills and gaining valuable experience.

1) Pre- and Post-Program Assessments: These assessments will gauge participants' tech literacy and skills levels before and after the program, providing quantifiable data on individual growth and learning. The assessments will be tailored to the specific skills taught in each track, ensuring accurate measurement of progress.

2) Participant Surveys and Feedback: Surveys and feedback mechanisms will capture qualitative data on participants' experiences, satisfaction, and perceived impact of the program. This valuable feedback will inform program improvements and highlight areas of success.

3) Skill Demonstrations and Portfolios: Participants will showcase their acquired skills through presentations, projects, or portfolios, providing tangible evidence of their learning and demonstrating their readiness for further education or employment opportunities.

4) Employer/Nonprofit Feedback: The program will actively seek feedback from employers/non-profits who hire program graduates or offer volunteer opportunities. This will provide external validation of the program's effectiveness in preparing participants for the workforce and meeting industry needs.

5) Community Impact Surveys: Surveys or interviews with community members, educators, and other stakeholders will assess the broader impact of the program on the Nigerian community. This will capture perceptions of increased tech awareness, improved access to resources, and overall community development.

6) Long-Term Tracking: The program will maintain contact with participants after completion to track their progress in education, employment, and other relevant areas. This long-term tracking will provide valuable data on the program's sustained impact and inform future program development.

7) Case Studies and Success Stories: The program will document and share compelling stories of individual participants who have achieved significant accomplishments or overcome challenges as a result of their involvement. These narratives will serve as powerful testimonials to the program's transformative potential and inspire future participants and supporters.

Odibo has five graduates from our 2022 and 2023 classes that are available to provide mentorship. Of these five, one of them meets the qualifications to be a paid mentor (having successfully mentored someone who completed the program in 2023), while the 4 are still at the volunteer mentor stage. 

Odibo has been active in Nigeria since 2022. 

Of the five Odibo mentors available, two of them are women, and one of them is a mother of three children.

"Tech Sabi" offers a multifaceted business model. It provides high-quality, low-cost tech training and mentorship to Nigerian Americans, creating a pipeline of skilled tech talent for small businesses and corporations. This addresses the community's underrepresentation in the tech sector while offering a valuable resource to employers.    

The program relies on a grant-funded model, seeking support from organizations invested in community development and tech industry growth. Its sustainability strategy hinges on securing grants, demonstrating impact through rigorous evaluation, and building strong community partnerships. So far, we have a number of grants that have been recently applied for, that are still pending. 

Collaboration with MIT Solve could connect "Tech Sabi" participants with mentors and industry professionals that would normally be out of reach, further enhancing their learning and career prospects.