The Federal Government has unveiled a ₦10 billion investment in digital skills training aimed at equipping 32,000 Nigerians with globally recognised certifications and connecting them to employment opportunities in the digital economy. The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this in Abuja during the launch of the Digital Training Academy, a national platform established to provide free digital and professional training under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative.
According to Alausa, the programme is being implemented in partnership with global learning providers, including Coursera and Pluralsight, with training covering software development, Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, IT automation, cybersecurity, cloud computing, natural language processing and quantum computing. He said the initiative was designed not only to increase the number of Nigerians obtaining digital certificates but also to translate the training into employment, enterprise development and improved productivity.
The minister said the programme has a target of 32,000 enrolments and 32,000 certificates, while the government has provided for access centres with internet connectivity and learning devices across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. He explained that the initiative would complement existing programmes such as the 3 Million Technical Talent programme and the National Talent Export Programme, with trained beneficiaries expected to gain pathways into employment and international talent markets.
Alausa said the success of the programme would ultimately be measured by the economic opportunities created for beneficiaries rather than the number of certificates issued. He identified employment, improved business productivity, technology enabled entrepreneurship and the ability of Nigerian professionals to compete globally as key expected outcomes, while calling on employers, technology companies, educational institutions, professional bodies and state governments to provide internship, mentorship, project based learning and employment opportunities for participants.