Khamis Malami, a graduate of Business Information Technology from the Middlesex University, established a mainstream excellent hub (meHub), an IT hub and training centre in Jos North, North-Central Nigeria to tech young people; chiefly high school students, the technical know-how of Information and Communication Technology and link them to be part of digital world and…
Khamis Malami, a graduate of Business Information Technology from the Middlesex University, established a mainstream excellent hub (meHub), an IT hub and training centre in Jos North, North-Central Nigeria to tech young people; chiefly high school students, the technical know-how of Information and Communication Technology and link them to be part of digital world and furnish teeming youth with IT skills.
What are the motives behind meHub?
The motive behind meHub founding is to make an impact on the next generation of youth, by providing them with a chance, a goal or guidance in the field of technology, and enabling them to develop the soft digital skills necessary to solve problems using accepted global practices and informed methods keeping track of international trends, strategies and solutions.
What areas are you centred on that aligns with Northern Nigerian challenges?
Since we have positioned ourselves in the north, we have always ensured that the structures we have established are in line with the best interests of the people living there, particularly, given their disadvantageous location in terms of skills and capacity. At meHub, community building is an integral part of our educational philosophy. We’ve established a structured framework to foster peer-to-peer communities within our training programmes. Our approach includes:
Inter-Community Trainings: We regularly organise cross-community training sessions, where members from various courses come together to share knowledge, skills, and insights. This collaborative environment promotes diversity in learning and helps participants gain a broader perspective on the tech industry. We have so far trained over 600 students and currently have 75 students undergoing the training.
In-House (Hub) Trainings: Our physical hub serves as a central hub for community members to gather and collaborate. We host in-house training sessions, workshops, and events, creating a space where students can learn, network, and exchange ideas.
Online learning: We have created learning platforms for experiential learning. We utilise Twitter (now X) space, Zoom and Google Meet to brainstorm on topical issues in the digital innovation sphere.
Competitions: meHub frequently conducts competitions exclusively for community members. These competitions not only challenge participants to apply their knowledge but also encourage healthy competition and camaraderie. The sense of achievement and recognition further motivates our learners.
Schools Site Project: At meHub we promote digital learning for different categories. We introduced the schools site project to expose students and staff of public and private schools to digital learning using website. We designed developed and deployed websites for 13 schools and trained some persons on management of the website.
CBT-Prep Training: Nigeria has adopted digital solutions in education system. Computer-based test (CBT) is gaining traction. The Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) uses CBT for tertiary institution entrance examination and applicants are required to have the requisite knowledge and skills to write this examination. In a bid to bridge the capacity gap among applicants, especially the north meHub introduced training for prospective JAMB applicants.
We trained 400 in four states, Kano, Bauchi and Plateau and FCT Abuja on the basics for CBT. The training was successfully delivered on April 13, 14 and 15, 2023.
Our structured approach to building peer-to-peer communities enhances the learning experience and extends the benefits beyond the classroom. Through these initiatives, meHub has created a thriving ecosystem where students, alumni, and industry professionals come together to learn, grow, and succeed.
As a youth, what are your targets to curtail youth unemployment and inclusiveness in the digital world?
Since I was young, I have been passionate about impacting the next generation. My shared experiences in entrepreneurship across various paths have always been brought to the table for the mutual benefit of all.
Our technological age saw every opportunity relying entirely on technology to compete and gain an advantage in the global race. Because we have grown so reliant on these technologies, it is now necessary for us to develop technological solutions that will support our day-to-day activities. As a result, big data management, the startup revolution and minimalist hardware architecture are in constant demand, which means new opportunities and markets will continue to arise.
I’m doing everything in my power to find a way to censor content and teach young people the value of soft digital skills so they can position themselves to be invisible to the Industrial Revolution of technology.
Is AI negative or positive?
Since the beginning of time, humans have been exploring the best ways to progress and make life easier for themselves. Nevertheless, fear of technology has always been a part of the human condition. This was evident when electricity was discovered and how American society was reluctant to make it widely available. Artificial intelligence (AI) can be beneficial when used properly, but as I’ve always believed that too much of anything is bad, one must find a balance in how much they rely on AI technology. Thoughtful reasoning is what gave rise to AI, so, I will advise finding that balance, but my position doesn’t change. We’ve progressed, and the competition is real. If you don’t use AI, you won’t be able to compete with those who do, and you’ll become outdated.
