The initiative was formally highlighted 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 is a strategic component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places strong emphasis on youth empowerment, innovation, and human capital development.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Education, Ikharo Attah, the government stressed that the academy is designed to bridge Nigeria’s digital skills gap while preparing young people for participation in the fast-evolving global digital economy.
“Digital competency is no longer optional” — Minister
Speaking at the event, Alausa underscored the urgency of equipping young Nigerians with relevant tech skills, noting the shifting demands of the modern workforce.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda recognises that digital competency is no longer optional. It is foundational,” he said.
He further explained the broader intention behind the programme, framing it as a long-term investment in national competitiveness.
“The Digital Training Academy is a direct investment in helping young Nigerians compete and lead in the global digital economy.”
Partnership with Coursera to deliver global-standard training
The programme will be implemented in collaboration with Coursera, a global online learning platform, and is expected to provide structured training in high-demand fields such as artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and software engineering.
Officials say participants will not only gain practical skills but will also earn internationally recognised certifications, a move expected to improve their employability both within Nigeria and abroad.
The minister explained that the initiative is also designed to combine global digital learning with local institutional support, ensuring broader reach and improved learning outcomes.
To achieve this, the programme will run in partnership with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH). While NOUN’s nationwide structure is expected to ensure accessibility across all geopolitical zones, YABATECH will contribute industry-based mentorship and facilitation for participants.
“Access to training alone is not enough. What truly changes lives is completion, support and accountability,” Alausa stated, highlighting the importance of sustained guidance throughout the learning process.
36,000 digital learning licences fully funded for Nigerian youths
In one of the most significant details of the initiative, the minister revealed that the Federal Government has fully funded 36,000 learning licences across Coursera and Pluralsight for Nigerian youths in the first year of implementation.
He described the scale of the investment as unprecedented, noting that it removes financial barriers that often prevent young people from accessing high-quality digital education.
The programme is expected to give participants access to world-class training resources at no personal cost, positioning it as one of the most ambitious government-backed digital skills interventions in the country’s recent history.
A “covenant” with Nigerian youths
Alausa also characterised the initiative in strong terms, describing it as a commitment between the government and the country’s youth population.
He commended Coursera, NOUN, and YABATECH for their roles in supporting the rollout, adding that sustained collaboration between government and educational institutions would be key to its success.
Describing the agreement, he said it represents “a covenant between government and Nigerian youth,” reaffirming that the administration remains committed to expanding access to globally relevant skills, certifications, and career pathways for young Nigerians.