The Minister of Education, Dr Olatunji Alausa, has unveiled the National Digital Training Academy (DTA), a flagship initiative of the Federal Government aimed at equipping Nigerian youths with advanced digital skills and globally recognised certifications to accelerate skills development and strengthen the country’s digital economy.
Alausa announced the initiative at the graduation ceremony of 928 beneficiaries of the one-year professional diploma programme under the World Bank-assisted Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) Project in Jigawa State.
The programme was implemented in collaboration with Baze University.
Dr Alausa said the Academy would be implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy through the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme.
The Minister, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Communications, Mr Ikharo Attah, noted that the initiative is a key component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to build a highly skilled workforce capable of competing in the global digital economy.
‘The Digital Training Academy represents the next phase of our commitment to developing industry-relevant skills that will enhance employability, promote entrepreneurship and strengthen Nigeria’s economic competitiveness,’ he said.
The Minister explained that the Academy would provide advanced training and internationally recognised certifications in Software Development, Cloud Technologies, Cybersecurity, IT Automation, Product Management, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Connected Technologies, Natural Language Processing, Financial Technology, Parallel Computing and Quantum Computing.
He described the graduation of the 928 participants as evidence that sustained investment in digital skills and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is equipping young Nigerians with practical competencies required to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and economic growth.
Dr Alausa said the Digital Training Academy complements the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms in TVET, noting that skills acquisition has become a major pillar of education policy.
He said the Ministry is expanding access to quality TVET programmes, modernising training institutions, strengthening partnerships with industry and creating multiple pathways for young Nigerians to acquire market-driven skills.
The Minister also highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to data-driven education reforms through the National Education Data Infrastructure (NEDI) and the Digitalised Nigeria Education Management Information System (DNEMIS).
According to him, both platforms are providing reliable real-time data on learner enrolment, teacher distribution, school infrastructure, learner identification and school safety, thereby enabling governments to improve planning, resource allocation and learning outcomes.
Commending Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, for prioritising education and digital innovation, Dr Alausa described the graduation as a demonstration of the impact of collaboration among the Federal Government, state governments, development partners, academic institutions and the private sector.
He said such partnerships remain critical to achieving the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda and positioning Nigeria as a leading digital economy in Africa.
Governor Namadi said the one-year professional diploma programme had equipped the graduates with practical skills in Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain Technology, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, Data Analytics and other emerging technologies.
He commended the Federal Ministry of Education, the World Bank-assisted IDEAS Project and Baze University for supporting the initiative and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding ICT infrastructure and youth empowerment through partnerships with organisations including NITDA, GLUWA and KOICA.
The governor announced that 30 outstanding graduates would receive laptop computers from the state government, while four exceptional participants had secured employment with Baze University.
He also unveiled the Jigawa State 12-Point Agenda Digital Portal, a platform designed to provide citizens with real-time information on government programmes across the state’s 27 local government areas and 287 political wards.
In her goodwill message, the Minister of State for Education, Prof Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, described the graduation as a reflection of the Federal Government’s commitment to producing digitally skilled, innovative and globally competitive youths.
She commended the Jigawa State Government, the World Bank, the IDEAS Project, Baze University and other partners for supporting the programme and urged the graduates to continue improving their skills and applying their knowledge to solving societal challenges.
Alausa congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to embrace lifelong learning and innovation, assuring that the Federal Ministry of Education would continue to expand access to quality TVET, accelerate digital skills development through the National Digital Training Academy and strengthen partnerships that would equip Nigerian learners with the skills needed to thrive in the 21st-century economy.