By Felix Khanoba
Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has unveiled the National Digital Training Academy (DTA), a new initiative aimed at equipping Nigerian youths with cutting-edge digital competencies and internationally recognised certifications in emerging technologies, as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s digital workforce.
The minister unveiled the initiative on Thursday during the graduation of 928 beneficiaries of the one-year professional diploma programme under the World Bank-supported Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) Project in Jigawa State.
The programme, implemented in collaboration with Baze University, trained participants in digital and technical skills designed to enhance employability, entrepreneurship and innovation.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Ikharo Attah, the Digital Training Academy is a flagship programme under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and will be jointly implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education and 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, IT Automation, Product Management, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Connected Technologies, Natural Language Processing, Financial Technology, Parallel Computing and Quantum Computing.
Dr. Alausa said the initiative marks a major step in the Federal Government’s drive to develop a globally competitive workforce capable of meeting the demands of the digital economy.
He explained that the Academy aligns with the administration’s broader education reforms, which seek to make education a catalyst for innovation, economic growth and national development by providing learners with industry-relevant skills.
The minister noted that the Digital Training Academy complements ongoing reforms in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), where skills development has become a major focus of government policy.
He said the Ministry is broadening access to quality TVET programmes, modernising training institutions, strengthening collaboration with industry and creating multiple pathways for young Nigerians to acquire market-driven competencies required in today’s technology-driven economy.
Dr. Alausa also highlighted the Federal Ministry of Education’s investment in data-driven planning through the National Education Data Infrastructure (NEDI) and the Digitalised Nigeria Education Management Information System (DNEMIS).
He said the two platforms are enhancing education governance by providing real-time data on student enrolment, teacher deployment, school infrastructure, learner identification and school safety, thereby enabling better planning, efficient resource allocation and improved learning outcomes across the country.
The minister commended Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi for prioritising education, digital innovation and youth empowerment, describing the graduation of the 928 trainees as evidence of the impact of collaboration among the Federal Government, state governments, development partners, academic institutions and the private sector.
Governor Namadi described the graduation as another milestone in the state’s investment in human capital development, noting that participants had received practical training in Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain Technology, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, Data Analytics and other emerging fields.
He also praised 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 partnerships with organisations such as NITDA, GLUWA and KOICA.
As part of the event, the governor 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, which will provide residents with real-time information on government programmes across the state’s 27 local government areas and 287 political wards to enhance transparency and accountability.
In her goodwill message, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, described the graduation as a reflection of the Federal Government’s commitment to producing digitally skilled, innovative and globally competitive young Nigerians.
She commended the Jigawa State Government, the World Bank, the IDEAS Project, Baze University and other stakeholders for supporting the programme and urged the graduates to continue improving their skills and apply their knowledge to solving real-world challenges.
Congratulating the graduates, Dr. Alausa urged them to embrace lifelong learning and innovation, stressing that the skills acquired should serve as a foundation for creating solutions, generating employment and contributing to national development.
He reaffirmed that the Federal Ministry of Education would continue expanding access to quality TVET, accelerate digital skills development through the National Digital Training Academy, deepen collaboration with governments and development partners, and implement reforms that will prepare Nigerian learners for success in the 21st-century economy.
