The Federal Government has announced a new digital skills initiative aimed at equipping 36,000 Nigerian youths with globally competitive competencies through the Digital Training Academy (DTA), in partnership with Coursera.
The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this at the signing ceremony held on the sidelines of the Education World Forum in London, describing the programme as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s digital future under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, the initiative reflects the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises youth empowerment, innovation, and human capital development. He noted that digital literacy has become essential for participation in the modern global economy.
The programme, delivered in partnership with global learning platform Coursera, will provide training in high-demand fields such as artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and software engineering. Beneficiaries will also earn internationally recognised certifications valued by employers worldwide.
Implementation will be coordinated through the National Open University of Nigeria and Yaba College of Technology, which will provide nationwide access, academic support, and technical mentorship for participants.
Dr. Alausa stated that NOUN’s broad reach would ensure inclusion across all geopolitical zones, while YABATECH would contribute industry-aligned expertise and hands-on guidance to improve completion rates and outcomes.
He described the agreement as a “covenant between government and Nigerian youths,” reaffirming the administration’s commitment to expanding opportunities for young people in the global digital economy.
The Ministry also confirmed that the Federal Government has fully funded 36,000 Coursera and Pluralsight licences for the first year of the programme, ensuring that beneficiaries will not bear any cost. The initiative is described as one of the largest government-funded digital skills investments in Nigeria’s history.
The Federal Ministry of Education said the programme is part of broader efforts to strengthen digital innovation and improve employability among Nigerian youths.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.