Nigeria is launching a training initiative to equip two million workers with digital skills to fill job vacancies in software development, cybersecurity, AI, and more. This government program, announced by the Minister of Education, aims to address a critical skills shortage identified in a UNESCO report, with further investments in education infrastructure, vocational training, and teacher support.
President Bola Tinubu has introduced an initiative targeting Nigeria’s skills gap in the digital workforce by offering free six-month training. This program aims to equip two million Nigerians with necessary digital skills to fill vacancies in critical sectors such as software development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing.
The announcement, made by Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing, revealed a UNESCO report highlighting Nigeria’s dire shortage of skilled digital workers. The report identified nearly two million job vacancies across various domains: 650,000 in software development, 280,000 in cybersecurity, 160,000 in IT automation, 150,000 in AI and machine learning, 120,000 in cloud computing, and 60,000 in natural language processing.
To combat this skills gap, the Nigerian government plans to establish a Digital Training Academy (DTA) that will train young engineers and professionals at no cost. The initiative will cover all training expenses, including internet services and qualifications from recognized tech companies, such as Cisco and Google, ensuring participants receive proper certifications.
Dr. Alausa asserted the program’s dedication to preparing Nigerians with competitive, globally recognized skills, with the launch set for June 2025. This effort aligns with broader initiatives to enhance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, addressing the country’s workforce needs.
The government is also focusing on reintegrating 10 million Out-of-School Children, particularly from the Almajiri system, by providing teacher training and compensation. Additionally, funds from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) will be redirected to assist the Almajiri Commission.
In addressing school security, Dr. Alausa mentioned the Safe School Initiative, which entails the formation of rapid response security teams to handle threats under a centralized command structure. Furthermore, plans are underway to construct 195,000 classrooms, 28,000 toilets, and 22,900 boreholes by 2027, alongside distributing 103 million textbooks for enhanced learning resources.
President Tinubu has also sanctioned a N120 billion fund to boost students’ entrepreneurial activities and vocational training in schools, emphasizing a practical learning model where students spend significant time on hands-on experiences. This model promotes 80% practical and 20% theoretical learning.
Moreover, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to the national library project with an allocation of N40 billion to enhance academic and research facilities nationwide. In discussing higher education, Dr. Alausa advocated focusing on strengthening existing universities, rather than creating new institutions, while assuring that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) will remain operational and efforts will be made to improve university infrastructure and recruit quality educators.
In summary, President Tinubu’s initiative aims to bridge the digital skills gap in Nigeria by training two million individuals in critical sectors. With significant investments in education, vocational training, and infrastructure improvements, the program seeks to enhance the quality of Nigeria’s workforce. Additionally, by securing adequate resources and addressing the needs of out-of-school children, the government emphasizes its commitment to education reform and economic development in the country.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
