FG launches digital academy to train 32,000 Nigerians in AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing

The federal government has launched a Digital Training Academy (DTA) to provide 32,000 Nigerians with free access to digital and professional training, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and cloud computing.

Speaking at the official launch of DTA in Abuja on Monday, Tunji Alausa, minister of education, said the initiative was designed to bridge Nigeria’s skills gap, improve employability and prepare citizens for opportunities in the digital economy.

Alausa said the federal government, in partnership with global learning providers, including Coursera and Pluralsight, would provide beneficiaries with access to high-quality digital and professional courses.

According to him, successful learners will earn recognised certificates demonstrating the knowledge and competencies acquired through the programme.

The minister said courses available through the academy would cover software development methodologies, AI and machine learning, IT automation, cybersecurity, cloud computing, natural language processing and quantum computing.

“These are not abstract subjects. They are fields shaping contemporary workplaces, transforming industries and creating new opportunities for employment and enterprise across the world,” he said.

Alausa said the programme was an integral part of President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda and is being implemented through the Nigeria education sector renewal initiative (NESRI).

He said the government had also designed the programme to address barriers that could prevent Nigerians without personal devices or reliable internet access from participating.

“Digital learning must not become another advantage available only to those who already possess devices, reliable connectivity or the means to pay for international courses,” he said.

The minister said access centres equipped with internet connectivity and learning devices were being made available across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

He said applicants would register with their National Identification Number, complete a profile outlining their background and career interests, undertake a pre-assessment and then proceed through an appropriate learning pathway.

“This approach will help us match learners with suitable courses, support their progress and ensure that public investment produces measurable results,” Alausa said.

The minister said the target of 32,000 enrolments and 32,000 certificates is ambitious but added that the success of the academy would ultimately be measured by its impact on beneficiaries.

He listed such outcomes as graduates securing meaningful employment, teachers using digital tools more effectively, entrepreneurs improving productivity and young people building technology-enabled businesses.

Alausa said the initiative would also build on other federal government skills-development programmes.

He said the ministry of communications, innovation and digital economy’s 3 million technical talent (3MTT) programme would provide a pipeline of skilled Nigerians who could pursue global certification through the academy.

He added that the national talent export programme (NATEP), recently launched by the ministry of industry, trade and investment, could help connect trained beneficiaries to jobs in the global market.

“The students that have gone through the programme now have an opportunity to get global certification,” he said.

“The ministry of Industry, trade and investment recently launched the national talent export programme (NATEP), which will be able to take this pipeline of students and place them in export jobs.”

Alausa urged selected learners to approach the programme with discipline and consistency, complete their modules, participate actively and undertake assessments honestly.

He also called on employers, technology companies, professional bodies, educational institutions, development partners and state governments to support the initiative by creating internship, mentorship, project-based learning and employment opportunities.

“Training achieves its fullest value when it is connected to opportunity,” he said.

The minister formally declared the Digital Training Academy open and urged eligible Nigerians to register and take advantage of the programme.