President Bola Tinubu has announced a new initiative aimed at addressing the skills gap in Nigeria’s digital workforce. The programme, which will provide free six-month skills training, is set to equip two million Nigerians with the necessary digital skills to fill significant vacancies in sectors such as software development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during the third edition of the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja. The Minister cited a UNESCO report revealing that Nigeria faces a critical shortage of skilled workers in various digital fields, with nearly two million job vacancies across sectors such as 650,000 vacancies 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 address this gap, the Nigerian government is establishing a Digital Training Academy (DTA) designed to train young engineers and professionals in these fields. The initiative will cover the training costs, including internet services and certification from major global tech companies such as Cisco, Google, and End of Career.
Dr. Alausa emphasised the goal of providing Nigerians with competitive, globally recognized digital skills. The programme is expected to launch by June 2025, alongside broader efforts to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in line with the country’s workforce needs.
The government is also focused on reintegrating the 10 million Out-of-School Children, particularly those in the Almajiri system, by training and compensating teachers. In addition, funds from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) will be reallocated to support the Almajiri Commission’s efforts.
On the subject of school security, the Minister highlighted the enhanced Safe School Initiative, which includes rapid response security teams prepared to address threats under a centralized command system.
Dr. Alausa also revealed plans for the construction of 195,000 classrooms, 28,000 toilets, and 22,900 boreholes across Nigeria by 2027. The government also plans to distribute 103 million textbooks, ensuring a steady supply of learning materials to schools.
President Tinubu has approved a N120 billion start-up fund to support students’ entrepreneurial activities and vocational training in schools and among artisans nationwide. The training model will involve students spending three days in school, one day in training, and one day in workshops, with a strong emphasis on practical learning (80% practical, 20% theory).
Furthermore, the government is recommitting to the national library project, with N40 billion allocated to kickstart the initiative, as well as enhancing academic and research resources across the country.
The Minister addressed concerns about the proliferation of universities in Nigeria, suggesting that lawmakers should focus on strengthening existing institutions rather than passing bills for the creation of new ones. He also assured that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) would continue indefinitely, debunking earlier speculation about its phasing out by 2030. Instead, he promised increased investments in university infrastructure, including engineering workshops and laboratories, along with recruitment of international-standard educators to ensure high-quality education.
