By The founder and Chief Executive Officer of New Horizons IT Training Center, Mr. Tim Akano pledges to give Nigerian journalists IT entrepreneurial training to boost their life.
Akano who made the pledge while hosting the annual end-of-year meeting of the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA), noted the humble beginning of the New Horizon Training Center, which started in Ikeja, Lagos, South West Nigeria but has spread across the country.
While reflecting on the enduring mutual support between Ihis company and IT reporters over the years, Akano stated that New Horizons has not only hosted several NITRA meetings but has also trained many IT journalists in core technology skills.
According to him, IT reporters were among the first groups to benefit from the world-class training programmes introduced by New Horizons about 20 years ago.
Akano, who attended the meeting to personally greet members of the IT media, used the opportunity to acknowledge the critical role journalists played in supporting his vision during the company’s early years.
Recounting the company’s growth, Akano said New Horizons, which began operations two decades ago with just a handful of staff, has grown into one of Africa’s foremost IT skills training organisations.
Today, the company employs about 500 staff across multiple training centres nationwide.
According to him, New Horizons has trained over 500,000 youths, particularly students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria adding that the company has entered into several partnerships with universities to equip students with practical IT skills, with the most recent agreement signed with Afe Babalola University.
Beyond business success, Akano’s story has also been one of giving back—especially to the media community that supported his entrepreneurial journey. Two notable instances were recalled at the meeting.
While taking turns to thank Akano for his support for the media, Publisher and veteran IT journalist, Aaron Ukodie, described how Akano assisted one of his daughters, a graduate of Accounting from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, by offering her placement for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme at New Horizons, alongside a scholarship for IT skills training.
Similarly, Mr. Yemi Adeyemi of The Guardian recounted how his editor sought IT training opportunities for a child. After several ICT firms turned down his request, Adeyemi approached Akano, who promptly agreed to accommodate the child for the mandatory IT training programme.
Members of NITRA described these gestures as clear examples of Akano’s commitment to human capital development and his enduring appreciation of the media’s role in the growth of New Horizons.
