Nigeria’s push to build a digitally skilled workforce has taken a new step forward with the launch of a Federal Government-backed Digital Training Academy that will provide thousands of young people with access to international training and certifications.
Ahead of the academy’s national launch on September 14, officials disclosed that 16,000 Nigerians have been selected for the inaugural cohort after a nationwide application process that attracted tens of thousands of applicants.
The programme arrives at a time when digital skills are becoming increasingly important in the global labour market. From software development and cybersecurity to data analytics, artificial intelligence and digital marketing, employers are placing growing value on technology-related competencies.
According to the National Coordinator of the Special Projects and Innovation Unit at the Federal Ministry of Education, Adebayo Onibanjo, the academy received 72,850 applications from across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory between August 17 and September 1, 2026.
Of that number, 19,699 applicants met the qualifying benchmark, while 16,000 candidates were eventually selected for the first phase of the programme.
The Digital Training Academy is a free initiative designed to equip participants with globally recognised digital skills through leading international learning platforms. For the inaugural cohort, training will be delivered through Coursera and Pluralsight, platforms widely used by learners and professionals around the world.
The academy is being implemented under the Nigeria Education Digital Infrastructure programme, one of the flagship interventions of the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI).
Education officials say the programme is intended to strengthen existing digital-skills initiatives rather than compete with them. Instead, it is expected to expand opportunities for young Nigerians seeking to improve their employability and access emerging career paths in the digital economy.
The initiative also reflects the Federal Government’s broader emphasis on human capital development under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on data and digitalisation.
Quoting the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, Onibanjo described the academy as an important milestone in efforts to prepare Nigerians for the future of work.
He said the programme represents the next phase of the government’s commitment to developing a workforce capable of competing globally in an increasingly technology-driven economy.
While the spotlight is currently on the 16,000 participants selected for the first cohort, officials insist the programme is only getting started.
According to Onibanjo, the inaugural class serves as a foundation for future expansion, with additional cohorts expected as the academy grows.
“This cohort of 16,000 is DTA’s first, not its last,” he said, noting that the systems, partnerships and structures being established now are intended to support a much larger national programme in the future.
The launch comes amid increasing demand for digital education across Nigeria, as young people seek skills that can connect them to local and global opportunities. It also reflects a growing recognition that technology and innovation will play a major role in shaping the country’s economic future.
For thousands of successful applicants, the academy offers more than just online courses. It provides access to internationally recognised training that could help bridge the gap between education and employment in a rapidly evolving digital world.
As the Federal Government prepares for the official launch, attention is already turning to what comes next: how quickly the programme can expand and how many more Nigerians will gain access to the digital skills increasingly required in today’s economy.
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