• Federal Government partners Coursera to launch the Digital Training Academy (DTA) targeting 36,000 Nigerian youths for global digital certification training
• The programme focuses on AI, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing and Software Engineering
• The initiative aims to improve employability and prepare youths for the global digital economy

The Federal Government has partnered with Coursera to launch the Digital Training Academy (DTA), an initiative aimed at equipping 36,000 Nigerian youths with globally recognised certifications in high-demand technology fields.

The programme was announced on Thursday, May 21, by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, following meetings held during the Education World Forum 2026 in London.

According to the minister, the initiative forms part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to improve access to digital education and prepare young Nigerians for opportunities within the global technology industry.

The training will focus on areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing and Software Engineering, while participants will also earn certifications recognised by employers around the world.

Announcing the development, Alausa described the partnership as a major step towards improving access to world-class digital training for Nigerian youths.

“On the sidelines of the Education World Forum 2026 in London, I signed a landmark partnership with @coursera to launch the Digital Training Academy (DTA), a major initiative designed to equip Nigerian youths with globally competitive digital skills,” he said.

He added, “Through this programme, young Nigerians will receive world class training in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Software Engineering and other high demand digital fields, while earning globally recognised certifications valued by employers across the world.”

The minister disclosed that the Federal Government had fully funded 36,000 licences across Coursera and Pluralsight for the programme’s first year to eliminate financial barriers for participants and expand access nationwide.

The initiative will be implemented in partnership with National Open University of Nigeria and Yaba College of Technology to ensure wider reach and provide industry-focused mentorship and support.

Alausa stressed that digital competency has become essential in today’s economy, noting that the government is focused on raising a generation of Nigerian youths capable of competing successfully in the global technology ecosystem.

He also appreciated Coursera, NOUN and YABATECH for collaborating with the Federal Government to improve digital skills access across the country.

The launch of the Digital Training Academy aligns with the government’s ongoing push to strengthen technical, vocational and digital education among young Nigerians.

In 2025, the Federal Government introduced several initiatives targeted at improving workforce readiness and reducing unemployment through practical and technology-driven education programmes.

One of such initiatives was the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) programme, which reportedly attracted over 90,000 applications shortly after its portal opened.

The government also revised the TVET curriculum to prioritise practical learning, adopting an 80:20 structure that gives more emphasis to hands-on technical training than classroom theory.

Nigeria further strengthened its vocational education drive in 2025 after signing a Memorandum of Understanding with China to enhance technical partnerships and practical training support.

FG opens free training for 10 million Nigerians on financial literacy, digital skills

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Federal Government of Nigeria officially opened registration for a nationwide initiative aimed at training 10 million Nigerians in financial literacy and inclusion.

The programme, spearheaded by the Office of the Vice President through the Presidential Committee on Economic & Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI), was designed to equip citizens, particularly women and youth, with essential financial management skills, investment knowledge, and digital competencies necessary for sustainable wealth creation.