The Federal Government has unveiled a new digital skills initiative aimed at preparing Nigerian youths for opportunities in the global technology ecosystem through advanced training in areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI),cybersecurity,cloud computing and software development.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, CON, announced the establishment of the National Digital Training Academy during the graduation ceremony of 928 beneficiaries of a one-year professional diploma programme in Jigawa State.
The programme, implemented under the World Bank-supported Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) Project in partnership with Baze University, was designed to equip young Nigerians with practical and industry-relevant skills.
Alausa said the new academy would be implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy through the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme.
According to him, the initiative would provide specialized training and globally recognized certifications in key technology fields, including software development, cloud technologies, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, machine learning, IT automation, product management, financial technology, natural language processing and emerging areas such as quantum computing.
The Minister described the initiative as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at transforming education into a major driver of innovation, economic growth and human capital development.
He said the government was committed to expanding access to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes by modernizing training institutions, strengthening industry partnerships and creating more opportunities for young Nigerians to acquire skills that match global labor market demands.
Alausa noted that the Digital Training Academy would complement ongoing education reforms, stressing that digital competence had become essential for improving employability, supporting entrepreneurship and positioning Nigeria as a competitive player in the global digital economy.
He also highlighted the role of the National Education Data Infrastructure (NEDI) and the Digitalized Nigeria Education Management Information System (DNEMIS) in improving education planning through access to reliable data on learners, teachers, infrastructure and school safety.
Commending Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi for prioritizing education and youth empowerment, the Minister said the graduation of the 928 beneficiaries demonstrated the impact of collaboration between government institutions, development partners, universities and the private sector.
Governor Namadi, who described the graduation as a major milestone in Jigawa’s human capital development efforts, said the programme had equipped participants with skills in Artificial Intelligence, block chain technology, cybersecurity, software engineering and data analytics.
He said the knowledge gained by the graduates would prepare them for entrepreneurship, innovation and careers in the technology sector.
The governor thanked the Federal Ministry of Education, the World Bank-assisted IDEAS Project and Baze University for supporting the initiative, adding that his administration would continue to invest in ICT development and youth empowerment through strategic partnerships.
Namadi also announced that 30 outstanding graduates would receive laptops from the state government, while four exceptional participants had secured employment opportunities with Baze University.
He further unveiled the Jigawa State 12-Point Agenda Digital Portal, designed to provide citizens with access to real-time information on government programmes and activities across the state’s 27 local government areas and 287 political wards.
The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, in her goodwill message, described the programme as evidence of the Federal Government’s commitment to producing digitally skilled and globally competitive young Nigerians.
She urged the graduates to continue improving their knowledge, embrace innovation and apply their skills to create solutions that would contribute to national development.
Alausa, while congratulating the beneficiaries, encouraged them to embrace lifelong learning, noting that their acquired skills should serve as a foundation for creating jobs, developing innovative solutions and contributing to Nigeria’s economic transformation.