The Federal Government has unveiled the National Digital Training Academy, DTA, a flagship initiative designed to equip Nigerian youths with cutting-edge digital skills and internationally recognised certifications in emerging technologies, as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for education, innovation and human capital development.
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, announced the initiative on Thursday in Dutse 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, implemented in collaboration with Baze University.
Alausa described the graduation as evidence of the Federal Government’s sustained investment in Technical and Vocational Education and Training, TVET, and digital innovation to prepare young Nigerians for the demands of the global digital economy.
According to the Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Communications, Mr. Ikharo Attah, the Minister disclosed that the Digital Training 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 academy will offer advanced training and globally recognised certifications in Software Development, Cloud Technologies, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Product Management, IT Automation, Connected Technologies, Natural Language Processing, Financial Technology, Parallel Computing and Quantum Computing.
Alausa said the initiative represents the next phase of President Tinubu’s vision of building a highly skilled workforce capable of competing globally, noting that education remains central to the administration’s strategy for driving economic growth, innovation and national development.
He explained that the Digital Training Academy complements the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms in Technical and Vocational Education and Training by expanding access to quality skills programmes, modernising training institutions, strengthening collaboration with industry and creating multiple pathways for young Nigerians to acquire market-relevant competencies.
The Minister also highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to evidence-based planning through the National Education Data Infrastructure, NEDI, and the Digitalised Nigeria Education Management Information System, DNEMIS, describing both platforms as critical tools for improving education governance through reliable real-time data on enrolment, teachers, infrastructure, learner identification and school safety.
Commending Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, for prioritising education, digital innovation and youth empowerment, Alausa described the graduation of the 928 trainees as proof of the impact of strategic collaboration between the Federal Government, state governments, development partners, academic institutions and the private sector in expanding opportunities for Nigerian youths.
Namadi described the graduation as another milestone in the state’s investment in human capital development, noting that the graduates had acquired practical skills in Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain Technology, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, Data Analytics and other emerging fields that would enhance their employability and entrepreneurial potential.
The governor commended the Federal Ministry of Education, the World Bank-assisted IDEAS Project and Baze University for partnering with the state to expand digital learning opportunities.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening ICT infrastructure and youth empowerment through partnerships with organisations such as NITDA, GLUWA and KOICA.
As part of the event, Namadi 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, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, described the graduation as a reflection of the Federal Government’s commitment to producing a generation of digitally skilled, innovative and globally competitive young Nigerians.
She urged the graduates to continue developing their skills, embrace innovation and deploy their knowledge to solve real-world problems, create businesses and contribute to national economic development.
