The Federal Government has launched a new Digital Training Academy aimed at equipping 32,000 Nigerians with free digital and professional skills to improve their access to employment opportunities in Nigeria and the global labour market.
The programme, launched in Abuja, is being implemented in partnership with global learning platforms Coursera and Pluralsight and is designed to provide participants with industry-recognised training and certifications.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the initiative would help bridge Nigeria’s digital skills gap while connecting young people and professionals with opportunities in the modern economy.
According to the National Coordinator of the Special Programs Operations and Implementation Unit (SPOIU), Bayo Onigbanjo, cybersecurity is currently the most demanded training track under the academy.
Onigbanjo disclosed that 9,525 students, representing 48 per cent of current sign-ups, had selected cybersecurity.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning followed, accounting for about 30 per cent of enrolments.
Other areas available under the programme include software development methodologies, IT automation, cloud computing, natural language processing and quantum computing.
“These are not abstract subjects. They are fields shaping contemporary workplaces, transforming industries and creating new opportunities for employment and enterprise across the world,” Alausa said.
Alausa described the Digital Training Academy as more than an online learning platform, saying it was designed to connect learning with certification, employment, entrepreneurship and national development.
He said the initiative formed part of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and was being implemented through the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI).
The minister said the government’s objective was to ensure that Nigerians, regardless of their location or economic circumstances, could access quality education and relevant skills for the digital economy.
To improve accessibility, the government is establishing learning centres equipped with internet connectivity and digital devices across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The centres are expected to support Nigerians who may not have personal computers, smartphones or reliable internet access.
Onigbanjo said the programme attracted significant interest during its initial selection process.
According to him, 72,850 applicants registered and completed the pre-assessment, while 19,719 candidates scored above 65 per cent and progressed into the programme pipeline.
The government secured 20,000 licences from Coursera and 12,000 from Pluralsight, bringing the total available spaces to 32,000.
Onigbanjo disclosed that 6,388 students had already commenced training, while 86 participants had completed their programmes and obtained certifications.
He said the pioneer cohort was being offered fully government-funded training, with admission based exclusively on merit.
The Federal Government said the programme would measure its success beyond the number of people trained or certificates issued.
Alausa said the ultimate objective was to help beneficiaries secure meaningful employment, improve productivity, establish businesses and compete for opportunities in the international labour market.
“The target of 32,000 enrolments and 32,000 certificates is ambitious, but the true value of the Academy will not be measured by numbers alone,” the minister said.
He urged participants to approach the training with discipline, complete their courses and apply their newly acquired knowledge to real-world challenges.
The education minister said the academy builds on existing government initiatives aimed at developing Nigeria’s digital workforce.
He cited the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, which is focused on developing three million technical talents.
According to Alausa, participants who have passed through the 3MTT pipeline now have an opportunity to obtain internationally recognised certifications through the new academy.
He also highlighted the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP) of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, which is expected to help connect trained Nigerians with international employment opportunities.
Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, said employers increasingly value practical, industry-relevant digital skills alongside conventional academic qualifications.
She said the government wanted Nigerian graduates to leave institutions with both academic credentials and practical skills that would enable them to compete globally.
The government said it would continue tracking participants through key indicators including course completion, certification and job placement, with employment outcomes regarded as a major measure of the academy’s success.
