FG Opens Digital Academy, Selects 16,000 Nigerians for First Cohort

The Federal Government has launched its Digital Training Academy, selecting 16,000 Nigerians for the programme’s inaugural cohort as part of efforts to equip young people with globally recognised digital skills.

The National Coordinator, Special Projects and Innovation Unit of the Federal Ministry of Education, Adebayo Onibanjo, disclosed this on Wednesday during a media briefing ahead of the academy’s national launch scheduled for September 14, 2026.

Onibanjo said the programme attracted 72,850 applications from Nigerians across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory during the registration period between August 17 and September 1.

He explained that 19,699 applicants met the qualifying benchmark, while 16,000 candidates were eventually selected for the first cohort.

The Digital Training Academy is a free Federal Government-backed initiative designed to provide participants with digital training and access to globally recognised certifications through international learning platforms.

The programme is being implemented under the Nigeria Education Digital Infrastructure Programme, a flagship intervention of the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative.

According to the Federal Ministry of Education, the academy forms part of broader efforts to address digital skills gaps and develop a workforce capable of competing effectively in the global digital economy.

Onibanjo said the strong response to the programme demonstrated the growing demand among Nigerians for opportunities to acquire digital skills and internationally recognised qualifications.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, described the academy as a significant step towards building a highly skilled workforce capable of contributing to Nigeria’s digital transformation.

The programme is expected to expose participants to areas of digital learning that can improve their employability and prepare them for opportunities in technology-driven industries.

The Federal Government has increasingly identified digital skills development as an important component of its education and economic transformation agenda, particularly as technology continues to reshape employment and business opportunities.

The selection of the first 16,000 participants represents the initial phase of the academy, with the government expected to expand access as the programme progresses.

The national launch on September 14 will formally commence the academy’s activities and mark the beginning of training for the inaugural cohort.

The initiative is expected to contribute to efforts to reduce the digital skills gap among young Nigerians while strengthening the country’s capacity to participate in the global digital economy.