The Federal Government has launched a six-month Digital Training Academy designed to equip 32,000 Nigerians with digital skills, professional certifications and opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship in the global digital economy.
The Federal Ministry of Education announced the initiative in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade.
According to the ministry, the programme is aimed at addressing Nigeria’s growing digital skills gap while creating more opportunities for citizens to participate in the technology-driven global economy.
The Digital Training Academy is being implemented under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative through the Nigeria Education Digital Infrastructure programme. It is also aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
16,000 Beneficiaries Selected for First Cohort
Speaking at the launch in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, said the ministry received 72,850 applications from across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Of the applicants, 19,699 were found to have met the programme’s entry requirements, while 16,000 beneficiaries were selected for the inaugural cohort.
According to the ministry, participants will also have access to international learning platforms and opportunities to obtain professional certifications recognised within the global technology industry.
“The Federal Government has launched the Digital Training Academy (DTA), a six-month intervention of the Federal Ministry of Education designed to equip 32,000 Nigerians with globally relevant digital skills, professional certifications and pathways to employment, entrepreneurship and participation in the global digital economy.
“Training will cover high-demand areas including software development, cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, cloud computing, IT automation, Natural Language Processing and quantum computing. Beneficiaries will access global platforms including Coursera and Pluralsight and pursue recognised certifications from organisations such as Google, IBM and Huawei”, the statement partly read.
Free Training in High-Demand Technology Skills
The academy will provide training in several technology fields considered increasingly important in the international digital economy.
These include software development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and machine learning, cloud computing, IT automation, natural language processing and quantum computing.
Beneficiaries will also gain access to international learning platforms such as Coursera and Pluralsight, while pursuing professional certifications from major technology organisations including Google, IBM and Huawei.
The Federal Government said it would provide the infrastructure and personnel required to support the programme.
This will include computers, internet connectivity, training access centres, facilitators and mentors.
Government Links Digital Skills to Jobs and Entrepreneurship
The Ministry of Education said the initiative goes beyond basic digital training by establishing a measurable connection between skills acquisition and economic opportunities.
“The Ministry will track certification, employment and enterprise outcomes to ensure a measurable pathway from skills to productive opportunities,” the statement added.
The programme is being implemented in partnership with the National Open University of Nigeria and Yaba College of Technology.
Through the partnership, the government aims to strengthen access to quality digital education while helping participants translate newly acquired skills into employment, business opportunities and other forms of economic participation.
FG Targets Nigeria’s Digital Skills Gap
The launch comes amid growing demand for workers with digital and technology-related skills as businesses, governments and other organisations increasingly adopt digital systems and services.
The Federal Government has in recent years placed greater emphasis on digital skills development as part of efforts to improve youth employability, promote entrepreneurship and increase Nigeria’s participation in the expanding global digital economy.
Under the Digital Training Academy, participants will receive training across a broad range of technology disciplines, from software development and cybersecurity to artificial intelligence, cloud computing and quantum computing.
The Ministry of Education described the programme as part of its wider effort to close Nigeria’s digital skills gap by expanding access to training, professional certification and practical pathways into employment and entrepreneurship.
