The Federal Ministry of Education has officially launched the Digital Training Academy (DTA) in Abuja, a six-month free programme designed to equip 32,000 Nigerians with high-demand digital skills including AI, coding, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. The first cohort of 16,000 participants has already been selected from a pool of 72,850 applicants across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Programme Overview and Selection Process
Speaking at the launch event in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, revealed that the programme attracted thousands of applications from across the country. The ministry reported receiving 72,850 applications, but only 19,699 applicants met the entry requirements. For the first phase, 16,000 Nigerians have been selected, while the academy is expected to train a total of 32,000 beneficiaries over the six-month period.
The initiative is part of the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative through the Nigeria Education Digital Infrastructure programme and aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The ministry, in a statement signed by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, said the academy was created to help close Nigeria’s digital skills gap and give more people access to opportunities in the global digital economy.
Training Content and Certification
The training will cover areas including software development, cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, cloud computing, IT automation, Natural Language Processing and quantum computing. Participants will also gain access to international learning platforms such as Coursera and Pluralsight, as well as professional certifications from technology companies including Google, IBM, and Huawei.
“The Federal Government has launched the Digital Training Academy (DTA), a six-month intervention of the Federal Ministry of Education designed to equip 32,000 Nigerians with globally relevant digital skills, professional certifications and pathways to employment, entrepreneurship and participation in the global digital economy,” the statement read.
Support and Implementation Partners
The ministry said it would provide computers, internet connectivity, training centres, facilitators and mentors needed to support participants throughout the programme. The initiative will be implemented in partnership with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech).
Beyond training, the government said it plans to monitor what happens after participants complete the programme by tracking certifications, employment opportunities and businesses created through the skills acquired. “The Ministry will track certification, employment and enterprise outcomes to ensure a measurable pathway from skills to productive opportunities,” the statement added.
Impact and Future Outlook
The launch comes as demand for technology workers continues to grow globally, with businesses and government agencies increasingly adopting digital tools and services. For young Nigerians struggling with unemployment and looking for ways to build careers outside traditional jobs, the government said the academy is expected to provide a route into technology-related opportunities locally and internationally.
