By Felix Khanoba
The Federal Government is shifting Nigeria’s education system towards practical skills, digital competence and entrepreneurship to prepare young people for emerging employment opportunities and the demands of a technology-driven economy.
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, disclosed this while delivering the keynote address at the Cisco Networking Academy Instructor Safari Conference for English West and Central Africa, themed “Navigating the Future of Skills Development for the Nigerian Economy.”
Alausa said the ongoing education reforms were designed to move the country away from an approach focused primarily on academic learning to one that equips learners with the competencies required for productive employment, innovation and enterprise development.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Ikharo Attah, the minister described technology as a critical instrument for transforming education and strengthening Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global economy.
“Across every sector, digital technology is changing how we learn, work, communicate and create value. Our responsibility is to ensure that Nigerian young people have the opportunity to acquire these skills and apply them productively,” he said.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising human capital development under the Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that a technology-enabled education system was essential to improving national productivity and expanding economic opportunities.
The minister explained that the Federal Ministry of Education’s reform agenda was anchored on six priority areas: Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medical Sciences (STEMM); Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET); reduction of out-of-school children; girl-child education; data and digitalisation; and quality assurance.
According to him, digital competencies cut across the six priority areas, supporting scientific learning, improving practical instruction, expanding access to educational opportunities and strengthening evidence-based planning.
Alausa identified software development, networking, cybersecurity, data analytics, cloud computing and artificial intelligence as key areas of digital competence needed to prepare young Nigerians for the changing world of work.
He, however, stressed that technical knowledge alone was insufficient, noting that learners must also develop critical thinking, communication, teamwork and problem-solving abilities to translate their skills into practical solutions.
The minister maintained that the effectiveness of digital training institutions should be assessed not only by examination results but also by their graduates’ ability to develop useful products, improve services, solve real-world problems and establish sustainable businesses.
To bridge the gap between training and employment, he called for stronger collaboration among educational institutions, industry stakeholders and employers.
He urged training providers to incorporate practical projects, mentorship, internships and recognised certifications into their programmes, noting that such measures would help learners demonstrate their capabilities to prospective employers.
Alausa added that portfolios showcasing learners’ practical achievements would improve their prospects for employment, entrepreneurship and further learning while ensuring that training programmes remained relevant to industry requirements.
On inclusive access to digital education, the minister called for affordable internet connectivity, digital devices and accessible learning resources for girls and young women, persons with disabilities, rural learners and individuals facing financial barriers.
He emphasised the need for partnerships to expand digital access, improve instructors’ capacity and ensure that underserved communities benefited from technological opportunities.
On his part, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, highlighted the transformative potential of digital skills, drawing on his experience as a Cisco Networking Academy alumnus.
Abdullahi urged instructors to prioritise complex problem-solving, critical thinking and lifelong learning rather than focusing solely on examination success.
He also highlighted collaboration between NITDA and the Federal Ministry of Education to integrate digital literacy into school curricula and tertiary education.
Alausa assured Nigerians that the ministry would sustain the implementation of education reforms under Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, deepen partnerships with industry and development partners, and expand access to quality digital skills training.
He said the efforts were aimed at ensuring that young Nigerians were adequately prepared for emerging employment opportunities, entrepreneurship and the demands of the future economy.
The minister formally declared the conference open, expressing confidence that sustained investment in digital education and skills development would produce competent professionals, innovative entrepreneurs and a workforce capable of driving national prosperity.
