The Federal Government has partnered with Coursera to provide Nigerian youths with free training in artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, cloud computing and other high-demand digital skills through the Digital Training Academy programme.
The partnership was announced by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, during a signing ceremony held on the sidelines of the Education World Forum in London.
According to the minister, the initiative is part of the Tinubu administration’s broader push to prepare young Nigerians for opportunities in the global digital economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Alausa said digital skills are now essential for economic participation and global competitiveness, adding that the programme is designed to help Nigerian youths gain industry-relevant knowledge and internationally recognised certifications.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda recognises that digital competency is no longer optional. It is foundational. The Digital Training Academy is a direct investment in helping young Nigerians compete and lead in the global digital economy,” he said.
Through the partnership with Coursera, beneficiaries will gain access to courses and training programmes in areas such as AI, software engineering, cybersecurity, cloud computing and data science. Participants will also earn certificates recognised by employers globally.
The Federal Government said the programme will be implemented in collaboration with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) to ensure wider access and effective learning support across the country.
Alausa explained that NOUN’s nationwide structure would help the programme reach youths across all geopolitical zones, while YABATECH would provide technical support, facilitators and mentorship for participants.
“Access to training alone is not enough. What truly changes lives is completion, support and accountability,” the minister stated.
He described the agreement as “a covenant between government and Nigerian youth,” adding that the administration would continue investing in initiatives that improve digital capacity, innovation and employability among young Nigerians.
The minister also commended Coursera, NOUN and YABATECH for supporting the initiative and helping to make digital education more accessible.
In a statement released after the signing, the Federal Government disclosed that it had fully funded 36,000 licences across Coursera and Pluralsight for Nigerian youths in the first phase of the programme.
According to the statement, participants will access the training at no personal cost, removing financial barriers that often prevent young Nigerians from acquiring globally competitive digital skills.
“It is one of the largest government-funded digital skills investments in Nigeria’s history,” the statement said.
The Ministry of Education added that the programme aligns with ongoing efforts to expand access to quality education, strengthen digital innovation and equip Nigerian youths with practical skills needed in a rapidly evolving global economy.
