PalmPay has teamed up with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Youth Development to launch a new initiative aimed at digitally empowering young people across the country. The partnership, called the Youth Data Protection Awareness and Training (YDPAT) Program, seeks to train over one million Nigerian youths in digital skills over the next three years.
The program’s main goal is to give young people the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the digital world safely. This is a crucial step, as over 70% of Nigeria’s population is under 30. The initiative aims to build trust, security, and innovation among the nation’s youth.
During the program’s launch in Abuja, the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, praised PalmPay for its partnership. He described the YDPAT program as a “bold step toward building a digitally literate and security-conscious generation.”
Olawande pointed out the low awareness of the Nigerian Data Protection Act (NDPA), 2023, and the critical shortage of certified Data Protection Officers (DPOs) in the country. He emphasized that the program is about creating a privacy-first generation, one that is inclusive, future-facing, and globally competitive.
PalmPay’s Managing Director, Mr. Chika Nwosu, echoed this sentiment, stating that data protection is just as important as innovation. He highlighted that PalmPay builds privacy into every stage of its product development to ensure user information is secure.
The YDPAT program is not just about training. PalmPay is also committed to offering real growth opportunities, including mentorship and internship placements for top-performing participants.
This new program is part of PalmPay’s broader effort to empower young Nigerians. The company has led several youth-focused initiatives, such as the Purple Woman campaign and the “Passing the Baton” CSR program, which have supported thousands of youths and women.
PalmPay is also expanding its efforts to achieve nationwide digital literacy, with campaigns already underway in Northern Nigeria and more planned for other states.