By Ngozi Nwankwo
The graduation of 928 digitally skilled youths in Jigawa State received national significance as the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, unveiled the National Digital Training Academy,DTA, a flagship initiative that will equip young Nigerians with advanced digital skills and globally recognised certifications, reinforcing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for education, innovation and human capital development.
Alausa announced the initiative at the graduation ceremony of beneficiaries of the one-year professional diploma programme under the World Bank-assisted Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills,IDEAS, Project, implemented in collaboration with Baze University.
He described the graduation as compelling evidence that sustained investment in digital skills and Technical and Vocational Education and Training,TVET, is equipping Nigerian youths with practical competencies needed to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and economic growth.
The Minister disclosed that the National Digital Training Academy will be implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy through the 3 Million Technical Talent,3MTT, programme.
The Academy will provide advanced training and internationally recognised certifications in Software Development, Cloud Technologies, Cybersecurity, IT Automation, Product Management, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Connected Technologies, Natural Language Processing, Financial Technology, Parallel Computing and Quantum Computing.
According to Alausa, the Academy represents the next phase of President Tinubu’s commitment to building a highly skilled workforce capable of competing in the global digital economy.
He said the initiative reflects the Federal Government’s resolve to reposition education as a strategic driver of national development by equipping learners with industry-relevant skills that enhance employability, promote entrepreneurship and strengthen Nigeria’s economic competitiveness.
The Minister noted that the Digital Training Academy complements the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms in Technical and Vocational Education and Training, where skills acquisition has become a central pillar of education policy.
He said the Ministry is expanding access to quality TVET programmes, modernising training institutions, strengthening partnerships with industry and creating multiple pathways for young Nigerians to acquire market-driven skills that respond to the demands of an increasingly technology-driven world.
Alausa also highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to evidence-based planning through the National Education Data Infrastructure,NEDI,and the Digitalised Nigeria Education Management Information System,DNEMIS.
He explained that both platforms are transforming education governance by providing reliable, real-time data on learner enrolment, teacher distribution, school infrastructure, learner identification and school safety, enabling governments at all levels to plan more effectively, allocate resources efficiently and improve learning outcomes nationwide.
Commending Governor Umar Namadi, FCA, for prioritising education, digital innovation and youth empowerment, the Minister described the graduation of the 928 beneficiaries as a clear demonstration of the impact of strategic collaboration among the Federal Government, state governments, development partners, academic institutions and the private sector.
He said such partnerships remain essential to achieving the objectives of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and positioning Nigeria as a leading digital economy in Africa.
Governor Umar Namadi described the graduation as another milestone in Jigawa State’s investment in human capital development.
He said the one-year professional diploma programme had equipped the graduates with practical skills in Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain Technology, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, Data Analytics and other emerging technologies, preparing them for self-employment, innovation and careers in the global technology ecosystem.
The Governor commended the Federal Ministry of Education, the World Bank-assisted IDEAS Project and Baze University for partnering with the State Government to expand opportunities for young people through digital education.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening ICT infrastructure and youth empowerment through partnerships with organisations including NITDA, GLUWA and KOICA. He announced that 30 outstanding graduands would receive laptop computers from the State Government, while four exceptional participants had secured employment with Baze University.
Namadi also unveiled the Jigawa State 12-Point Agenda Digital Portal, a platform designed to provide citizens with real-time information on government programmes across the state’s 27 local government areas and 287 political wards.
He described the initiative as a significant step towards transparency, accountability and technology-driven governance.
In her goodwill message, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, said the graduation reflected the Federal Government’s commitment to raising a generation of digitally skilled, innovative and globally competitive young Nigerians.
She commended Governor Umar Namadi for placing education, youth development and digital innovation at the centre of governance and applauded the World Bank, the IDEAS Project, Baze University and other partners for supporting the successful implementation of the programme.
Suwaiba encouraged the graduates to continue developing their skills, embrace innovation and apply their knowledge to solving real-world challenges, creating businesses and contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic development.
Congratulating the graduates, Dr. Alausa urged them to embrace lifelong learning and continuous innovation, stressing that the knowledge they had acquired should serve as a foundation for developing solutions, creating jobs and advancing national development.
He assured that the Federal Ministry of Education would continue to expand access to quality TVET, accelerate digital skills development through the National Digital Training Academy, strengthen partnerships with states, development partners and the private sector, and implement reforms that equip every Nigerian learner with the competencies required to thrive in the twenty-first-century economy and position Nigeria as a leading hub for innovation and skilled talent in Africa.
