FG Enrols 16,000 Nigerians in Free Digital Training Academy

The Federal Government has enrolled 16,000 Nigerians into the first cohort of its newly established Digital Training Academy (DTA), a free programme designed to equip young Nigerians with digital skills needed in today’s changing job market. The development comes as Nigeria continues to face growing demand for technology and digital skills, with young people increasingly looking for opportunities beyond traditional employment. According to the Federal Ministry of Education, the academy received an impressive 72,850 applications from Nigerians across the country’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory during its registration period between August 17 and September 1, 2026. Of the applicants, 19,699 met the qualifying requirements, while 16,000 were eventually selected for the inaugural cohort. The Digital Training Academy is being implemented under the Nigeria Education Digital Infrastructure (NEDI) programme, which is part of the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative. Participants in the first cohort will receive training through internationally recognised online learning platforms, including Coursera and Pluralsight. The programme is intended to give participants access to digital learning and skills that can improve their ability to compete for opportunities in Nigeria’s growing digital economy. The large number of applications highlights the strong demand for digital-skills opportunities among Nigerians. With 72,850 people applying for the programme and only 16,000 selected for the first cohort, thousands of applicants were not included in the inaugural group. The Federal Ministry of Education has, however, indicated that the 16,000 beneficiaries represent only the beginning of the academy rather than the full extent of the programme. Adebayo Onibanjo, National Coordinator of the ministry’s Special Projects and Innovation Unit, said subsequent cohorts are expected to build on the systems and partnerships established through the first group. The initiative forms part of the Federal Government’s broader effort to develop a workforce capable of participating in the global digital economy. The ministry said the programme aligns with the government’s human-capital development objectives and its broader digitalisation agenda. Partners involved in the initiative include the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Yaba College of Technology, the National Open University of Nigeria, Coursera and Pluralsight. What this means for young Nigerians. For young Nigerians looking to develop skills in technology and other digital fields, the programme could provide an opportunity to gain structured training without paying tuition for the academy. Digital skills are increasingly relevant across different sectors, including business, communications, finance, education, cybersecurity, technology and creative industries. The government is expected to provide more information about the academy’s expansion and future cohorts as the programme develops. For the 16,000 Nigerians selected for the first cohort, the programme marks the beginning of their participation in a national initiative aimed at preparing more Nigerians for opportunities in the digital economy. The Federal Government has described the first cohort as the foundation for what it hopes will become a much larger national digital-skills programme.