Paradigm Initiative, formally known as Paradigm Initiative Nigeria unveiled a new identity in line with its new aspirations and focus, just as it kicked off the Internet Freedom Forum 2017.
According to Paradigm Initiative’s Executive Director, ‘Gbenga Sesan; “We are an indigenous social enterprise, registered corporately in Nigeria, and our programs have been completed across several states in all geopolitical zones in Nigeria. We currently operate out of 5 offices in Kano, Lagos, Abuja and Aba. The removal of ‘Nigeria’ from our name reflects the on-going expansion of our work to the rest of Africa.” “Paradigm Initiative is a social enterprise that builds an ICT-enabled support system and advocates digital rights in order to improve livelihoods for under-served youth. Its programs include digital inclusion programs – such as the LIFE training Program (LIFE is an acronym for Life Skills. ICT. Financial Readiness. Entrepreneurship) and the Techtiary program. Paradigm Initiative’s digital rights program, is called ‘Magoyi.’ ‘Magoyi’ means ‘Advocate’ in Hausa, an indigenous Nigerian language.Paradigm Initiative works to connect under-served youth with improved livelihoods through digital inclusion and digital rights programs.”
According to Paradigm Initiative’s Director of Programs, Tope Ogundipe; “Our new Pan-African focus means that our Magoyi program will be expanding to Anglophone West Africa, Francophone West Africa, Central Africa as well as East & Southern Africa.
According to the Magoyi Program Manager; Boye Adegoke; “our expansion work to the rest of Africa affords us the opportunity to take the impact of our advocacy work in Nigeria – exemplified by the Digital Rights and Freedom Bill, to other regions of Africa.”
Paradigm Initiative has also become an affiliate of the CDI Global Network, a network committed to building a global movement of technology for social change, helping people to recode their lives, their communities and the world. Through a network of digital empowerment centers with presence in Latin America (Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Brazil, Venezuela), US and Europe (Portugal), and now Nigeria, and by extension Africa; CDI Global Network is working closely with local partners to enhance their existing programs, generate new opportunities and strengthen the idea of using technology for social change.
Becoming a part of this network has continued to improve our work as we strive to connect under- served youth with demand-driven ICT skills in Africa. Another of our programs, designed to foster technological entrepreneurship amongst students in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, formally known as the TENT Program will now be Known as the ‘Techtiary Program.’ All programmatic goals remain the same. Currently, “Yaba College of Technology, Lagos State College of Health Technology, Nnamdi Azikwe University (UNZIK), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and Federal University of Technology FUTA are some institutions where Techtiary clubs are active”.
In a nutshell, the work of Paradigm Initiative will now be scaled to make a greater impact across Africa. Our new identity positions us to strengthen our work and to amplify our impact within and outside Nigeria.