The Federal Government has unveiled the National Digital Training Academy (DTA), a new initiative aimed at equipping Nigerian youths with advanced digital skills and globally recognised certifications in emerging technologies.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, announced the initiative on Thursday during the graduation of 928 beneficiaries of a one-year professional diploma programme under the World Bank-supported Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) Project in Dutse, Jigawa State.
According to the Minister, the Digital Training Academy will be implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy through the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme.
He said the Academy will offer training in Software Development, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, Cloud Technologies, Product Management, IT Automation, Natural Language Processing, Financial Technology, Connected Technologies, Parallel Computing and Quantum Computing.
Alausa described the initiative as a key component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at building a globally competitive workforce and strengthening Nigeria’s digital economy.
He noted that the Academy complements the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), which focus on expanding access to quality skills acquisition, modernising training institutions and strengthening partnerships with industry.
The Minister also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve education planning through the National Education Data Infrastructure (NEDI) and the Digitalised Nigeria Education Management Information System (DNEMIS), saying both platforms would provide real-time data to support evidence-based decision-making across the education sector.
Speaking at the event, Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi said the graduating youths had acquired practical skills in Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain Technology, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, Data Analytics and other emerging technologies.
He announced that 30 outstanding graduates would receive laptop computers from the state government, while four exceptional participants had secured employment with Baze University.
Namadi also unveiled the Jigawa State 12-Point Agenda Digital Portal, designed to provide citizens with real-time updates on government programmes across the state’s 27 local government areas and 287 political wards.
Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, described the graduation as a reflection of the Federal Government’s commitment to producing digitally skilled and globally competitive young Nigerians.
She urged the graduates to continue developing their skills and leverage technology to create businesses, solve societal challenges and contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth.
The 928 graduates completed the one-year professional diploma programme under the World Bank-assisted IDEAS Project, implemented in collaboration with Baze University.
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