32,000 Nigerians to get free tech skills, certifications from FG academy

The Nigerian government has launched a six-month Digital Training Academy, aiming to train 32,000 individuals in digital skills, certifications and pathways to employment and entrepreneurship within the global digital economy. The initiative, announced by the Federal Ministry of Education, stems from the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative and is aligned with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.

The academy will cover high-demand areas such as software development, cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, cloud computing, IT automation, Natural Language Processing, and quantum computing. Beneficiaries will gain access to international learning platforms like Coursera and Pluralsight, as well as professional certification opportunities from companies such as Google, IBM and Huawei.

The initiative is set to address Nigeria's digital skills gap and enhance employability among young Nigerians in the technology-driven global economy. A total of 72,850 applicants from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory applied for the program, with 19,699 meeting the entry requirements. Out of these, 16,000 beneficiaries were selected for the inaugural cohort.

The government will provide the necessary infrastructure and human resources, including computers, internet connectivity, learning centers, facilitators, and mentors to support the training. The ministry will track outcomes, ensuring a measurable connection between skills acquisition and economic opportunities.