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Microsoft has partnered with The Future Project to launch Aiki Nigeria, an online mentorship programme that seeks to guide young Nigerians in improving their employability status through web-based training.

Microsoft announced that Aiki Nigeria will be activated in Nigeria and will enable the creation of jobs through a mentoring programme.

“In working with organisations, technology enthusiasts and governments at every level, we have emphasised the crucial importance of jobs for a new generation of Nigerians. This programme is a major step in leading a coordinated solution to this urgent problem”, Ugochukwu Nwosu, citizenship manager at Microsoft for Anglophone West Africa, said.

The launch of the mentorship platform marks Microsoft’s 20 years of operations in Africa, noted Patrick Onwumere, director of youth enablement at Microsoft Africa.

Chude Jideonwo, executive director, The Future Project, explained that The Future Project has always invested in enterprise and expanding opportunities for young people.

“Through our enterprise support scheme platform, we have over 5 years created a platform for young people to build a community of opportunities, to connect with capacity and build a shared future of value. We are glad to be partnering with Microsoft to scale up this engagement and to reach a deeper pool of the un-served across the country,” Jideonwo said.

About 100,000 people are expected to connect to Aiki Nigeria‘s services online when it goes live in December. The number is expected to increase to half a million by June 2014.