The Federal Government has committed more than N10.5 billion to the Digital Training Academy (DTA), targeting over 32,000 young Nigerians for digital skills training.
Education Minister, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja at the official launch of the academy.
Alausa said DTA was created to close Nigeria’s digital skills gap, improve employability and help Nigerians compete for global opportunities. He said the project supports President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI).
He said beneficiaries would undergo six months of training on platforms including Coursera and Pluralsight and earn certifications from global technology firms.
The minister said the programme would cover cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud computing, fintech, product management and quantum computing.
“Today, we’re not merely unveiling an online learning portal. We’re opening a new pathway to opportunities for thousands of Nigerians.
“We’re connecting talents to world-class learning, learning to certification and certification to productive work, enterprise and national development.
“This initiative is an integral part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which is powered by the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative,” he said.
The government partnered with NOUN and YABATECH to provide study centres, internet access and facilitators. DTA will also help 3MTT beneficiaries gain international certifications.
NIMC DG Abisoye Coker-Odusote said the academy would strengthen national capacity and support secure digital access.
Senator Mohammed Dandutse pledged Senate support for research and innovation, while Industry Minister Jumoke Oduwole said DTA complements NATEP and its “Hire from Nigeria” initiative, targeting one million export-linked digital jobs by 2027.
