The federal government has taken a bold step to prepare Nigerian youths for the future by partnering with Coursera, one of the world’s leading online learning platforms.
This initiative, under the Digital Training Academy (DTA) program, aims to provide free, world-class digital skills training to thousands of young Nigerians.
Announced by the minister of education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during the Education World Forum in London, the program is a key part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
It focuses on bridging the digital skills gap and creating opportunities for Nigerian youths in the global economy.
What the Programme Offers
Through this partnership, participants will receive training in high-demand areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and software engineering.
Upon completion, they will earn globally recognized certifications from Coursera that are valued by employers worldwide.
The federal government has fully funded 36,000 licenses in the first year, meaning beneficiaries will not pay any fees.
The program will be implemented in collaboration with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) for nationwide reach and Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) for technical expertise and mentorship.
A Major Investment in Youth Empowerment
Dr. Alausa described the initiative as a “covenant” between the government and Nigerian youths. He emphasized that digital competency is no longer optional but essential for success in today’s world.
The program is designed to be accessible to youths across all geopolitical zones, with strong support systems to ensure completion and real-world impact.
This is one of the largest government-funded digital skills programs in Nigeria’s history.
By removing financial barriers, the government hopes to empower a new generation of tech-savvy young Nigerians who can compete globally and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economy.
The move also aligns with Nigeria’s broader goals of innovation, job creation, and human capital development.
As the digital economy continues to grow rapidly across Africa, initiatives like this are critical for preparing young people for the jobs of tomorrow.
For Nigerian youths, this is a golden opportunity to gain valuable skills at no cost.
The government has urged interested candidates to take full advantage of the program and remain committed throughout the learning journey.