The Federal Government has launched the Digital Training Academy (DTA), a six-month intervention aimed at equipping 32,000 Nigerians with globally relevant digital skills, professional certifications and pathways to employment and entrepreneurship.
The initiative, launched by the Federal Ministry of Education, is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s digital workforce and expand opportunities for citizens to participate in the global digital economy.
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Implemented under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) through the Nigeria Education Digital Infrastructure (NEDI) programme, the Academy is aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the government’s efforts to bridge the country’s digital skills gap.
Speaking at the launch in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, said the programme had attracted significant interest from Nigerians across the country.
According to him, 72,850 applications were received from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with 19,699 applicants meeting the entry requirements.
He disclosed that 16,000 beneficiaries had been selected for the inaugural cohort, while the broader intervention is expected to train 32,000 Nigerians.
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The training will focus on high-demand areas of the digital economy, including software development, cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, cloud computing, IT automation, Natural Language Processing and quantum computing.
Participants will also have access to global learning platforms, including Coursera and Pluralsight, while pursuing recognised professional certifications from leading technology organisations such as Google, IBM and Huawei.
The Federal Government will provide computers, internet connectivity, access centres, facilitators and mentors to support beneficiaries throughout the programme.
The initiative will be implemented through partnerships with institutions including the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH).
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The Ministry of Education said it would track participants’ certification, employment and enterprise outcomes to ensure the programme provides a measurable pathway from digital skills acquisition to productive economic opportunities.
The Digital Training Academy is expected to contribute to the development of a skilled digital workforce capable of meeting emerging demands in Nigeria and the wider global economy.