Innovation: Lewis emerges one of Nigeria’s 50 most valuable personalities in digital economy

Dr. Evelyn Lewis emergence as one of Nigeria’s “50 Most Valuable Personalities in the Digital Economy” speaks volumes about the increasing importance of inclusive innovation in national development. His leadership at SBTS Group represents a dynamic shift in how digital transformation can be harnessed to bridge economic gaps and empower youth in Africa. Recognised by ITEdgeNews Africa, the annual 50MVPs initiative honours individuals who have significantly influenced Nigeria’s digital economy. Dr. Lewis’ recognition is particularly significant in light of his work to create scalable, impactful solutions that extend beyond urban centres into underserved regions.

The SBTS Group’s ongoing collaboration with the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) aligns closely with the Nigerian government’s National Digital Economy Policy and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme. This partnership signifies a practical commitment to narrowing the digital divide through actionable frameworks. By focusing on regions like Abuja and Enugu to launch training and BPO centres, Dr. Lewis is ensuring that Nigeria’s digital transformation is not just for the elite but inclusive of all socioeconomic backgrounds. These centres are expected to generate over 5,000 digital jobs in the short term, directly impacting economic resilience and youth employment a crucial step in national development.

Capacity Building through Strategic Innovation

Central to Dr. Lewis’ strategy is the Intelligent Capacity Building Model (ICBM)—a homegrown, scalable framework that effectively links training to actual employment opportunities. This model addresses a long-standing problem in African education and development: the mismatch between skills training and job market realities. By integrating career tracks in fields like cybersecurity, software development, AI, and digital entrepreneurship, the ICBM ensures that training programs are aligned with both national priorities and global digital standards. Through DBI campuses across the country, ICBM is being rolled out as a robust system for capacity building. Its implementation includes not just technical training but also institutional reforms. Under Dr. Lewis’ leadership, SBTS has developed a unified digital learning and registration infrastructure for DBI. This includes the integration of identity verification systems like NIN and BVN, enabling seamless access to training, sponsorship, and career tracking. Such innovations contribute to institutional accountability while making education and employment opportunities accessible and measurable.

Moreover, these systems support enterprise partnerships that can sustain long-term job creation and economic empowerment. For example, businesses can now partner with DBI to recruit from a trained, verified pool of talent. This transforms the digital learning ecosystem into a full-fledged pipeline for workforce development. To train five million youths and create 50,000 digital jobs by 2030, Dr. Lewis is not just envisioning the future he is building it in real time.