The Federal Government has partnered with Coursera to launch the Digital Training Academy (DTA), a programme that will provide 36,000 young Nigerians with free training in high-demand tech fields including AI, cybersecurity, data science, cloud computing, and software engineering.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during the signing ceremony of the initiative held on the sidelines of the Education World Forum in London.
Minister for Education, Tunji Alausa, during the signing of the Digital Training Academy partnership at the Education World Forum 2026 in London
Alausa said the programme aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises youth empowerment, innovation and human capital development.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Education, Ikharo Attah.
According to him, the Digital Training Academy is designed to prepare young Nigerians for opportunities in the global digital economy.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda recognises that digital competency is no longer optional. It is foundational,” the minister said.
“The Digital Training Academy is a direct investment in helping young Nigerians compete and lead in the global digital economy.”
This is not just another digital skills initiative implemented by the Federal Government. This AI Training initiative by the Federal Government, seeks to equip young Nigerians with industry Skills and Resources needed to meet up to morden day workforce requirements.
It is aimed at closing the growing gap between what many graduates learn in school and what the global job market now demands.
Minister for Education, Tunji Alausa, during the signing of the Digital Training Academy partnership at the Education World Forum 2026 in London
As industries increasingly shift toward AI, automation, cloud systems, and digital infrastructure, access to credible tech education has become one of the biggest barriers for many young Nigerians, especially outside major cities.
The government says it will fully fund 36,000 learning licenses on Coursera and Pluralsight for the first year, removing the cost barrier that often prevents people from accessing globally recognised tech training.
What makes the Initiative more Significant is the Structure Behind it
By partnering with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and YABATECH, the programme is attempting to combine global learning platforms with local institutional support and mentorship, while extending access beyond Lagos and Abuja.
Alausa noted that beneficiaries would also earn globally recognised certifications to improve their chances of securing international career opportunities.
The minister further revealed that the Federal Government had fully funded 36,000 licences across Coursera and Pluralsight for Nigerian youths in the first year of the programme.
He said the arrangement would enable participants to access world-class digital training at no personal cost, describing it as one of the largest government-funded digital skills investments in Nigeria’s history.
Participants will also earn internationally recognised certifications, giving them access to the same learning resources used by professionals and students across the US, Europe, and Asia.
Minister for Education, Tunji Alausa, during the signing of the Digital Training Academy partnership at the Education World Forum 2026 in London
In a global economy increasingly shaped by digital skills, programmes like this are becoming less about optional upskilling and more about economic survival and competitiveness.
Because for many young Nigerians today, digital education is no longer just about entering tech.
It is increasingly becoming one of the clearest pathways into the future workforce itself.
To ensure nationwide reach and high completion rates, the initiative is operating in collaboration with local institutions.
National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN): The university’s broad nationwide infrastructure will be used to ensure equal access to the program across all geopolitical zones.
Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH): The institution will provide technical mentorship, hands-on guidance, and facilitators to support participants throughout their learning journey.
Why is AI Training and Digital Skills Acquisition important to Nigeria?
Digital skills and AI training are essential because they bridge the gap between human creativity and machine capabilities. Mastering these tools accelerates productivity, unlocks higher-paying job opportunities, and builds critical thinking to navigate an increasingly automated world. Benefits for Nigerian Youths include:
-Solving Unemployment: A new report has revealed that nearly 80 million Nigerian youth are unemployed, underscoring the alarming crisis of wasted potential in Africa’s most populous country. Today, up to 93% of employed Nigerians work in the informal sector, which lacks income security, formal contracts, and benefits.
-AI Trainings and Digital Skills Acquisition opens doors for vital skills Boosting thereby opening doors for Nigerian youths to land new International Jobs and remote jobs.
-Career Growth and Earning Potential: In a fast AI developing world, Employers today heavily value AI-fluent talent. Workers with AI skills command significant wage premiums and are better positioned for promotions and career pivots.
-Enhanced Productivity: AI Trainings and Digital Skills boosts productivity for Nigerian Youths as AI handles repetitive, time-consuming tasks (like data analysis or drafting), allowing you to focus on strategy, creative problem-solving, and higher-value work.
-Critical Thinking and Adaptability: AI literacy goes beyond pushing buttons; Nigerian Young population will learn how to evaluate AI outputs, question data for bias, and safely navigate ethical challenges.
-Civic and Financial Inclusion: Understanding digital systems is vital for accessing basic services, engaging in the modern economy, and avoiding exclusion in a technology-driven society.
When is Application for the Digital Training Academy going to Commence and How to apply for the FGN sponsored Free AI Training?
Application Dates for the FGN sponsored Free AI Training and Digital Literacy program has not yet been announced. Dates to commence application along with Links will be communicated in the forth coming weeks.
Application for the FGN Coursera Free AI and Digital Skills Acquisition program will be highly contested.
Interested persons should subscribe to our Newsletters or constantly check back SeedufyTech website for application dates and Links.
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