By Kwin Israel, The Sight News
The Federal Government has unveiled the National Digital Training Academy (DTA), a landmark initiative designed to equip Nigerian youths with advanced digital skills and globally recognised certifications in emerging technologies, reinforcing President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for education, innovation and human capital development.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, announced the initiative at the graduation ceremony 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 in Dutse, Jigawa State.
Implemented in collaboration with Baze University, the programme represents a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s drive to expand Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and prepare Nigerian youths for opportunities in the global digital economy.
Dr. Alausa described the graduation as compelling evidence that sustained investment in digital skills development and TVET is equipping young Nigerians with practical competencies needed to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and economic growth.
He disclosed that the National Digital Training Academy will 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.
According to the Minister, the Academy will provide advanced training and internationally recognised certifications in Software Development, Cloud Technologies, Cybersecurity, IT Automation, Product Management, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Connected Technologies, Natural Language Processing, Financial Technology, Parallel Computing and Quantum Computing.
Describing the Academy as the next phase of President Tinubu’s vision for building a globally competitive workforce, Dr. Alausa said the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s determination to reposition education as a strategic driver of national development by equipping learners with industry-relevant skills that improve employability, stimulate entrepreneurship and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in the digital economy.
He explained that the Digital Training Academy complements the ongoing transformation of Technical and Vocational Education and Training, where skills acquisition has become a central pillar of the nation’s education policy.
He noted that the Ministry is expanding access to quality TVET programmes, modernising training institutions, strengthening partnerships with industry and creating multiple pathways for young Nigerians to acquire market-driven skills that meet the demands of a rapidly evolving technology landscape.
The Minister also reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to data-driven education planning through the National Education Data Infrastructure (NEDI) and the Digitalised Nigeria Education Management Information System (DNEMIS). He explained that both platforms are transforming education governance by providing reliable, real-time data on learner enrolment, teacher deployment, school infrastructure, learner identification and school safety, enabling governments at all levels to plan more effectively, allocate resources efficiently and improve learning outcomes.
Commending the Jigawa state Governor, Umar Namadi, for prioritising education, digital innovation and youth empowerment, Dr. Alausa described the graduation of the 928 beneficiaries as a clear demonstration of the impact of strategic collaboration among the Federal Government, state governments, development partners, academic institutions and the private sector.
He said such partnerships remain essential to achieving the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda and positioning Nigeria as a leading digital economy in Africa.
On his part, Governor Namadi described the graduation as another milestone in Jigawa State’s investment in human capital development. He noted that the one-year diploma programme had equipped beneficiaries with practical skills in Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain Technology, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, Data Analytics and other emerging technologies, preparing them for self-employment, innovation and careers within the global technology ecosystem.
The Governor commended the Federal Ministry of Education, the World Bank-assisted IDEAS Project and Baze University for supporting the initiative and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding ICT infrastructure and youth empowerment through strategic partnerships with organisations including NITDA, GLUWA and KOICA.
He announced that 30 outstanding graduates would receive laptop computers from the State Government, while four exceptional participants had secured employment with Baze University.
Governor Namadi also unveiled the Jigawa State 12-Point Agenda Digital Portal, a technology-driven platform designed to provide citizens with real-time information on government programmes across the state’s 27 local government areas and 287 political wards, describing it as a major step towards transparency, accountability and digital governance.
In her goodwill message, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, said the graduation underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to raising a generation of digitally skilled, innovative and globally competitive young Nigerians.
She commended the Jigawa State Government, the World Bank, the IDEAS Project, Baze University and other partners for their collaboration in delivering the programme and urged the graduates to continue building their skills, embrace innovation and apply their knowledge to solving real-world challenges, creating businesses and contributing to national development.
Congratulating the graduates, Dr. Alausa encouraged them to embrace lifelong learning and continuous innovation, stressing that the knowledge and competencies they had acquired should serve as a foundation for developing solutions, creating jobs and advancing Nigeria’s economic transformation.
He assured that the Federal Ministry of Education would continue to expand access to quality TVET, accelerate digital skills development through the National Digital Training Academy, deepen collaboration with states, development partners and the private sector, and implement reforms that equip every Nigerian learner with the competencies required to thrive in the twenty-first-century economy and position Nigeria as Africa’s leading hub for innovation and skilled talent.
