The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the digital capacity of young people through the Digital Training Academy, a new programme designed to equip youths with globally competitive technology skills.

The initiative was announced by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, during a signing ceremony held on the sidelines of the Education World Forum in London.

According to the Minister, the programme aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises youth empowerment, innovation, and human capital development as key pillars for national growth.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, Ikharo Attah.

The Digital Training Academy is designed to prepare Nigerian youths for opportunities in the global digital economy by providing structured training in high-demand technology fields.

Alausa explained that digital skills are now essential rather than optional, stressing that the initiative represents a direct investment in the future of young Nigerians. He added that the programme is aimed at enabling participants to compete effectively in international job markets.

The training will be implemented in partnership with Coursera, with courses covering areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and software engineering.

Participants will also receive globally recognised certifications to improve their employability and access to remote and international job opportunities.

To ensure wider reach and accessibility, the programme will be delivered in collaboration with the National Open University of Nigeria and Yaba College of Technology.

According to the Minister, NOUN’s nationwide structure will help extend access to youths across all regions of the country, while YABATECH will provide industry-based mentorship and practical support for learners.

He emphasised that beyond access to training, the government is focused on completion rates, accountability, and sustained learner support to ensure real impact.

Alausa described the initiative as a strong partnership between government and Nigerian youths, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to investing in programmes that deliver globally relevant skills and certifications.

He also noted that the Federal Government has fully funded 36,000 learning licences across Coursera and Pluralsight in the first year of implementation, making it one of the largest public investments in digital skills training in the country’s history.

The programme is expected to significantly boost Nigeria’s digital workforce and expand opportunities for young people in the global technology sector.