The Federal Government has chosen 16,000 Nigerians to participate in the first cohort of a new digital skills programme designed to improve access to technology training and internationally recognised certifications.
The FG Digital Training Academy is being introduced as part of the government’s wider effort to strengthen the digital capacity of Nigerians and prepare more young people for opportunities in the global economy.
Adebayo Onibanjo, National Coordinator of the Special Projects and Innovation Unit at the Federal Ministry of Education, disclosed details of the programme on Wednesday ahead of its official national launch scheduled for September 14, 2026.
According to him, the initiative attracted strong interest across the country during the application period, which ran from August 17 to September 1.
A total of 72,850 applications were submitted by Nigerians from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Of that number, 19,699 applicants met the required selection benchmark, while 16,000 were eventually picked to form the academy’s first batch.
Free digital training and certifications
The FG Digital Training Academy will provide participants with free access to courses delivered through major global learning platforms.
Successful applicants will receive training through Coursera and Pluralsight, giving them access to programmes covering a wide range of technology-related fields.
The academy is being implemented under the Nigeria Education Digital Infrastructure Programme, which forms part of the broader Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative.
The Federal Ministry of Education said the programme is expected to help close existing digital skills gaps and improve the ability of Nigerians to compete for employment and business opportunities in technology-driven sectors.
Programme to complement existing initiatives
Onibanjo said the academy was not designed to replace or duplicate other government-backed digital programmes.
Instead, he explained that it would work alongside existing initiatives aimed at improving digital literacy, technology education and human capital development.
The programme also aligns with the Data and Digitalisation pillar of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Education Minister Dr Tunji Alausa described the initiative as another step in the administration’s plan to develop a workforce capable of competing in the international digital economy.
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More cohorts expected
The government said the first 16,000 participants represent the beginning of a much larger programme.
Onibanjo explained that the initial cohort would help establish the systems, partnerships and delivery framework required to accommodate more Nigerians in future batches.
He said subsequent phases would build on the experience of the first group as the academy expands its reach nationwide.
The launch comes at a time when demand for technology-related skills continues to rise across several industries.
More young Nigerians are also exploring career opportunities in software development, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics and digital marketing.
Expansion details coming September 14
The Federal Ministry of Education said further information about the academy’s expansion and future cohorts would be announced during the national launch on September 14.
The ministry also acknowledged the involvement of several partner organisations, including the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Yaba College of Technology, the National Open University of Nigeria, Coursera and Pluralsight.
It thanked Nigerians who applied for the programme and encouraged greater public awareness of opportunities available through digital education.
The government said the FG Digital Training Academy would support its broader goal of equipping Nigeria’s youthful population with practical skills needed to participate more effectively in the global digital economy.