Data Science runs free bootcamp for young scientists

As part of its vision to make Nigeria the Data Science outsourcing hub for Africa before 2019 and create 1 million new jobs in the next 10 years, Data Science Nigeria is holding an extensive learning bootcamp between Friday 20 and Sunday 22 January 2017 in Lekki, Lagos State.

A statement from the organisers said the bootcamp will address varying capacity gaps in Data science for beginners, intermediate and experts with specific focus on Machine learning, R statistics and programming/Python for advanced data analytics.

Data Science Nigeria is an initiative of MTN executive, Bayo Adekanmbi, who previously served the company as General Manager Business Intelligence and Chief Marketing Officer before proceeding on a 15-month academic sabbatical for his PhD research on the use of data science for understanding consumer social consumption behaviour.

Data Science Nigeria is a professionalled non-profit organisation designed to train and mentor young Nigerians through face-to-face, virtual online classes, project-based support and holiday boot camps. The ultimate intent is to raise a special breed of data scientists and knowledge entrepreneurs who will set up data science-based businesses and attract foreign exchange to the nation.

Data Science Nigeria is driven by a compelling drive to raise a new generation of world-class data scientists, who can tap into the over $125 billion big data analytics market. Available statistics from IDC Research Group already indicates a need for almost 200,000 people with deep analytical skills in the US by 2018, and a requirement of five times that number for positions in data management and interpretation capabilities.

Data Science Nigeria is poised to ensure that the country can secure at least 2% of this global value, which will mean an over N1 trillion economic return through knowledge-based FOREX earning.