Onome Amuge
Zoho, a global software and cloud solutions company, is expanding its footprint in Nigeria’s education technology sector through a new collaboration with Babcock University, aimed at equipping students with digital innovation and low-code development skills.
In partnership with the Babcock Centre for Executive Development (BCED), the company is stated to have trained more than 50 students in its Young Creators Program, a three-day intensive workshop that introduced participants to practical applications of low-code development using Zoho Creator. The initiative showcases a growing trend among global tech firms to build local digital capacity in Africa as the continent’s demand for technology talent surges.
Business a.m. gathered that the programme trained students across Computer Science, Business, and Information Technology disciplines, guiding them to develop functional business solutions without advanced coding knowledge. By leveraging Zoho’s low-code platform, participants learned how to automate workflows, build apps, and deploy cloud-based tools that solve real-world business problems, considered an increasingly sought-after skill set in Nigeria’s evolving technology ecosystem.
“As part of our commitment to supporting local talent development in Nigeria, we are excited to collaborate with Babcock University to equip students with future-ready digital skills. Through the Young Creators Program, we aim to empower young innovators to build solutions that solve real business challenges while strengthening the local technology ecosystem,” said Kehinde Ogundare, Country Head, Zoho Nigeria.
The collaboration also signals Zoho’s intention to play a more relevant role in Nigeria’s technology and education landscape. Company executives confirmed that discussions are underway to integrate Zoho’s applications into Babcock’s entrepreneurship curriculum, enabling students to apply technology-driven solutions to business and development challenges.
Babcock University noted that the partnership aligns with its push to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry demands. “We are committed to preparing our students for leadership in a rapidly evolving digital economy.Working with Zoho provides our students with access to industry-standard tools and practical experience that build their capacity for innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Ayodeji Ajibade, director of the Babcock Entrepreneurship Development Centre.
Analysts say such collaborations are timely, as Nigeria’s digital economy accelerates under government-backed initiatives such as the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS). The country’s growing youth population and rising internet penetration have turned it into one of Africa’s largest markets for cloud and software solutions. Yet, the talent gap remains a major challenge for businesses pursuing digital transformation.
By focusing on low-code tools, Zoho hopes to lower barriers to entry for aspiring developers and entrepreneurs. Low-code platforms, which allow users to design applications with minimal coding,are seen as a critical enabler of business digitisation, especially in emerging markets where advanced programming skills are scarce.
The Young Creators Program, launched globally in 2022, has now trained over 2,000 students across different countries. Nigeria is a key frontier in Zoho’s African growth strategy, where the company has steadily expanded operations since opening a Lagos office in 2021.
Industry experts note that the initiative could serve as a model for other partnerships between global software providers and local universities. By embedding practical digital skills in academic programmes, institutions like Babcock can strengthen employability outcomes while helping to build the next generation of African tech innovators.
As Zoho and BCED plan further training programmes, hackathons, and innovation events, both organisations say their shared goal is to turn Nigeria’s growing base of digital-savvy students into job creators and technology leaders.
