Nigeria Launches Digital Training Academy for 32,000 Citizens

The Nigerian government has officially launched the Digital Training Academy (DTA), a six-month program aimed at equipping 32,000 Nigerians with essential digital skills and industry certifications. This initiative is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda and is executed through the Nigeria Digital Infrastructure (NEDI) program under the Nigeria Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI).

During the launch in Abuja, Minister of Education Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa reported an overwhelming demand, with 72,850 applications received from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. However, only 19,699 applicants met the entry requirements, and 16,000 were selected for the inaugural cohort.

Training will cover high-demand areas such as software development, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, utilizing platforms like Coursera and Pluralsight for certifications from recognized organizations including Google, IBM, and Huawei. The Federal Government will provide necessary resources, including computers and internet access, while partnerships with NOUN and YABATECH will facilitate program delivery.

The DTA aims to track certification rates and employment outcomes to ensure the program leads to genuine economic opportunities.