The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to equip Nigerian youths with globally relevant digital skills through the Digital Training Academy (DTA) programme.
Speaking during the signing ceremony held on the sidelines of the Education World Forum in London, Dr. Alausa described the initiative as a strategic investment aimed at preparing young Nigerians for opportunities in the global digital economy.
According to a statement issued by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, the Minister said the Digital Training Academy aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda’s focus on youth empowerment, innovation and human capital development.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda recognises that digital competency is no longer optional; it is foundational,” Alausa stated. “The Digital Training Academy is a direct investment in helping young Nigerians compete and lead in the global digital economy.”
Under the programme, participants will receive training in high demand digital fields including artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, cloud computing and software engineering through a partnership with one of the world’s leading online learning platforms.
coursera.org
The Minister noted that beneficiaries would also earn globally recognised certifications valued by employers worldwide, thereby positioning Nigerian youths for international career opportunities.
Dr. Alausa disclosed that the programme would be implemented in collaboration with the National Open University of Nigeria and Yaba College of Technology to ensure nationwide access and effective learning support.
He explained that NOUN’s nationwide presence would guarantee equal access for youths across all geopolitical zones, while YABATECH would provide industry focused expertise, facilitators and mentors to support participants throughout the programme.
“Access to training alone is not enough. What truly changes lives is completion, support and accountability,” he added.
Describing the agreement as “a covenant between government and Nigerian youth,” the Minister assured that the Tinubu administration would continue investing in initiatives that equip young Nigerians with the skills, confidence and credentials needed to compete globally.
He also commended �, NOUN and YABATECH for partnering with the Federal Government to make the initiative a reality.
In a major demonstration of the administration’s commitment to youth development, the Federal Government has fully funded 36,000 licences across Coursera and for Nigerian youths in the first year of the programme.
The development means participants will access world class digital training at no personal cost, removing financial barriers to globally recognised qualifications.
Officials described the initiative as one of the largest government funded digital skills investments in Nigeria’s history.
The Federal Ministry of Education reiterated its commitment to expanding access to quality education, strengthening digital innovation and empowering Nigerian youths with skills required to succeed in a rapidly evolving global economy.