The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to equipping Nigerian youths with globally relevant digital skills through the Digital Training Academy, DTA, programme under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, made this known during the signing ceremony held on the sidelines of the Education World Forum in London.
Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Education, Ikharo Attah, said the programme is aimed at preparing Nigerian youths for opportunities in the global digital economy through access to world-class digital training and certifications.
According to Dr. Alausa, the Digital Training Academy reflects the Renewed Hope Agenda’s strong focus on youth empowerment, innovation, and human capital development, stressing that digital competency is now essential for success in today’s world.
Through a partnership with Coursera, participants will receive training in high-demand fields such as artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and software engineering.
Beneficiaries will also earn globally recognised certifications valued by employers across the world, positioning Nigerian youths for international career opportunities.
The programme will be implemented in collaboration with National Open University of Nigeria and Yaba College of Technology to ensure nationwide accessibility and effective learning support for participants.
Dr. Alausa explained that while NOUN’s nationwide structure would ensure equal access for youths across all geopolitical zones, YABATECH would provide industry-focused expertise, facilitators, and mentors throughout the programme.
He maintained that beyond access to training, mentorship, completion, support, and accountability remain critical to achieving meaningful impact.
The Minister described the agreement as a covenant between government and Nigerian youths, assuring that the Tinubu administration would continue investing in initiatives that equip young Nigerians with the skills, confidence, and credentials needed to compete globally.
In what has been described as one of the largest government-funded digital skills investments in Nigeria’s history, the Federal Government has fully funded 36,000 licences across Coursera and Pluralsight for Nigerian youths in the first year of the programme.
The initiative will provide beneficiaries with access to world-class digital training at no personal cost, as the Federal Government has fully covered all expenses to eliminate financial barriers and create greater opportunities for Nigerian youths.
The Federal Ministry of Education says it remains committed to expanding access to quality education, strengthening digital innovation, and empowering Nigerian youths with skills required to succeed in a rapidly evolving global economy.
