By Jane Salihu
The Federal Government has unveiled the National Digital Training Academy (DTA), a flagship initiative aimed at equipping Nigerian youths with globally competitive digital skills and internationally recognised certifications to meet the growing demands of the global technology industry.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, announced the initiative on Thursday during the graduation 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 Dutse, Jigawa State.
According to a statement by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, the academy forms part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen human capital development, promote innovation and position Nigeria as a leading source of skilled digital talent.
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.
He explained that participants would receive advanced training and globally recognised certifications in Software Development, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, Cloud Technologies, IT Automation, Product Management, Financial Technology, Natural Language Processing, Connected Technologies, Parallel Computing and Quantum Computing.
“The National Digital Training Academy represents the next phase of the Federal Government’s commitment to building a highly skilled workforce capable of competing in the global digital economy,” the minister said.
He noted that the initiative complements ongoing reforms in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), which are designed to equip young Nigerians with practical, industry-driven skills that improve employability, encourage entrepreneurship and support economic growth.
Alausa also highlighted the Federal Ministry of Education’s efforts to strengthen education planning through the National Education Data Infrastructure (NEDI) and the Digitalised Nigeria Education Management Information System (DNEMIS), saying the platforms would provide reliable, real-time data for improved policy formulation, resource allocation and monitoring of learning outcomes nationwide.
He commended Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi for prioritising education, digital innovation and youth empowerment, describing the graduation of the 928 trainees as evidence that collaboration between governments, development partners and educational institutions can deliver meaningful opportunities for young Nigerians.
The minister said such partnerships would remain critical to achieving the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda and transforming Nigeria into Africa’s leading digital economy.
Governor Namadi said the graduates had acquired practical knowledge in Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain Technology, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, Data Analytics and other emerging technologies that would prepare them for careers in the global digital economy and encourage self-employment.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding ICT infrastructure and digital education through partnerships with organisations including the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), GLUWA and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
The governor announced that the state government would reward 30 outstanding graduates with laptop computers, while four exceptional participants had secured employment with Baze University.
He also unveiled the Jigawa State 12-Point Agenda Digital Portal, which will provide citizens with real-time information on government programmes and projects across the state’s 27 local government areas and 287 political wards.
In her goodwill message, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, described the graduation as another milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to produce digitally skilled and globally competitive young Nigerians.
She urged the graduates to continue improving their knowledge, embrace innovation and use their skills to create businesses, solve societal problems and contribute to national development.
Alausa congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to embrace lifelong learning, stressing that the knowledge they had acquired should serve as a foundation for creating jobs, developing innovative solutions and driving Nigeria’s economic transformation.
The statement noted that the Federal Ministry of Education would continue expanding access to quality TVET programmes, deepen digital skills development through the National Digital Training Academy and strengthen partnerships with state governments, development partners and the private sector to prepare more Nigerians for opportunities in the 21st-century digital economy.
