Nigeria’s Skills Training Initiative Aims to Equip Two Million Workers

President Bola Tinubu announced a new initiative to provide free six-month skills training to two million Nigerians, focusing on the digital workforce. The program aims to fill vacancies in software development, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. The government will also establish a Digital Training Academy and focus on reintegrating Out-of-School Children while enhancing educational infrastructure and security.

President Bola Tinubu recently unveiled an initiative aimed at closing the skills gap within Nigeria’s digital workforce. This program will provide free, six-month skills training to two million Nigerians, with a focus on key sectors such as software development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing.

The announcement was made by Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa during the third edition of the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja. He referenced a UNESCO report that highlighted a significant shortfall of skilled workers in Nigeria, which includes nearly two million vacancies across several sectors, namely 650,000 in software development, 280,000 in cybersecurity, and additional opportunities in IT automation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud computing, and natural language processing.

To combat this shortage, the Nigerian government will establish a Digital Training Academy (DTA) that aims to prepare young engineers and professionals. The government will cover all training costs, which includes internet services and certifications from renowned global tech companies such as Cisco and Google.

Dr. Alausa emphasized the aim of equipping Nigerians with competitive digital skills recognized globally. The program is slated to commence in June 2025, coinciding with initiatives to enhance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, aligning with national workforce demands.

In a broader educational context, the government is committed to reintegrating the 10 million Out-of-School Children, particularly those in the Almajiri system, by providing training and compensation to teachers. Funds from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) will also be redirected to support efforts by the Almajiri Commission.

With respect to school security, the Minister highlighted the proactive Safe School Initiative, which includes rapid response security teams to address security threats under a centralized command.

Dr. Alausa also announced plans for infrastructure improvements including the construction of 195,000 classrooms, 28,000 toilets, and 22,900 boreholes across Nigeria by 2027. The initiative aims to distribute 103 million textbooks to ensure a consistent supply of educational resources.

Additionally, President Tinubu has sanctioned a N120 billion start-up fund for students’ entrepreneurial and vocational training endeavors. The training model is designed for students to spend three days in school, one day in training, and one day in workshops, with a focus on practical learning.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to a national library project, allocating N40 billion to launch the initiative, while also enhancing academic and research resources across the nation.

Dr. Alausa addressed concerns regarding the proliferation of universities in Nigeria, advocating for the strengthening of existing institutions rather than establishing new ones. He assured stakeholders that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) would remain operational beyond 2030, promising increased investment in university infrastructure and the recruitment of qualified educators to improve education quality.

In conclusion, President Tinubu’s initiative represents a comprehensive approach to addressing the skills shortage in Nigeria’s digital workforce. The establishment of the Digital Training Academy, the focus on practical training, and significant investments in educational infrastructure reflect the government’s commitment to enhancing the quality of education. Additionally, efforts to reintegrate Out-of-School Children and improve school security further underscore a holistic commitment to the educational needs of the nation.

Original Source: newscentral.africa