By Jane Salihu
The Federal Government has unveiled the National Digital Training Academy, a flagship initiative to equip Nigerian youths with globally competitive digital skills and internationally recognised certifications.
The 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 Project in Dutse, Jigawa State.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, Alausa said the academy is part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen human capital development and position Nigeria as a leading source of skilled digital talent.
According to him, the academy will be implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy through the Three Million Technical Talent programme.
He said participants would receive advanced training and globally recognised certifications in software development, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cyber security, 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,” he said.
The minister said the initiative complements ongoing reforms in Technical and Vocational Education and Training aimed at equipping young Nigerians with practical, industry-driven skills to improve employability, encourage entrepreneurship and support economic growth.
Alausa added that the ministry is strengthening education planning through the National Education Data Infrastructure and the Digiised Nigeria Education Management Information System, which he said would provide reliable, real-time data for policy formulation and monitoring of learning outcomes.
He commended Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, for prioritising education and digital innovation, describing the graduation as evidence that collaboration among governments, development partners and educational institutions can deliver opportunities for young Nigerians.
In his remarks, Namadi said the graduates had acquired practical knowledge in artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, cyber security, software engineering, data analytics and other emerging technologies.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding ICT infrastructure and digital education through partnerships with the National Information Technology Development Agency, GLUWA and the Korea International Cooperation Agency.
Namadi announced that the state government would reward 30 outstanding graduates with laptop computers, adding that four exceptional participants had secured employment with Baze University.
He also unveiled the Jigawa 12-Point Agenda Digital Portal, which he said would provide real-time information on government programmes and projects across the 27 local government areas and 287 political wards in the state.
In her goodwill message, the Minister of State for Education, Prof Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, described the graduation as a milestone in efforts to produce digitally skilled and globally competitive youths.
She urged the graduates to embrace innovation and use their skills to create businesses, solve societal problems and contribute to national development.
The Minister of State congratulated the graduates and urged them to embrace lifelong learning, noting that the knowledge acquired should serve as a foundation for job creation and economic transformation.
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