The Federal Government has committed more than N10.5 billion to a digital skills development programme designed to equip 32,000 Nigerians with globally recognised certifications and pathways to employment and business opportunities.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while launching the Digital Training Academy (DTA), a national platform offering free digital and professional training under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI).

The programme is being delivered in partnership with global learning providers, including Coursera and Pluralsight, and will provide training in more than 10 high-demand fields.

Areas covered include software development, artificial intelligence and machine learning, cybersecurity, cloud computing, IT automation, fintech, product management, natural language processing and quantum computing.

Alausa said the Federal Government’s objective extends beyond increasing the number of Nigerians holding digital certificates, as the programme is intended to convert acquired skills into employment, entrepreneurship and improved productivity.

“Our objective here is very clear: to bridge Nigeria’s skills gap, improve employability and enable more of our citizens to take part in the digital economy,” the minister said.

According to the Digital Training Academy, 32,000 Nigerians will be enrolled in the programme and receive 32,000 certificates across more than 10 skill areas.

The training will be fully funded by the Federal Government, while access centres have been established across the country to assist participants who do not have personal computers or dependable internet connections.

The centres are expected to broaden access to digital education by addressing two major barriers that could prevent some Nigerians from participating: the cost of devices and limited internet connectivity.

Alausa said the DTA would work alongside other government-backed skills development programmes, particularly the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and the National Talent Export Programme (NATEP) operated by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.

He explained that Nigerians who had already participated in 3MTT could use the academy to obtain globally recognised certifications, while NATEP would create a route through which trained professionals could pursue international employment opportunities.

“The students who have gone through the programme now have an opportunity to get global certification. The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment recently launched the National Talent Export Programme, which will be able to take this pipeline of students and place them in export jobs,” he said.

The government said the initiative is aimed at strengthening the connection between skills acquisition and economic opportunities, enabling beneficiaries to use their knowledge in employment, technology-driven businesses and services serving both local and international markets.

Alausa said the effectiveness of the investment would ultimately be assessed through economic outcomes rather than the number of certificates awarded.

Among the expected outcomes are graduates obtaining meaningful employment, entrepreneurs increasing productivity, young Nigerians establishing technology-enabled businesses and professionals improving their competitiveness in international markets.

The minister also called on employers, technology companies, professional associations, educational institutions, development partners and state governments to support participants through internships, mentorship, project-based learning, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

The Federal Government’s effort to connect digital skills development with employment and enterprise comes amid increasing adoption of digital tools by Nigerian businesses and expanding global demand for remotely delivered professional and technology services.

For small businesses and prospective entrepreneurs, the programme could also provide training in areas including product management, fintech, cybersecurity, cloud computing and artificial intelligence, offering skills that can support the creation and expansion of technology-enabled businesses.

The Digital Training Academy is consequently positioned as more than a certification initiative, forming part of a broader government effort to develop a workforce equipped to participate in Nigeria’s digital economy, support businesses and pursue opportunities beyond the domestic market.

Source: msmeafricaonline