Nigerian Federal Government Launches Extensive Digital Skills Training for Millions

Federal Government Commits to Digital Transformation

The Nigerian federal government has announced comprehensive plans to train millions of its citizens in digital skills, a strategic move aimed at boosting economic participation, fostering innovation, and positioning the nation as a global digital talent hub. These initiatives are central to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's 'Renewed Hope' agenda and align with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, targeting a significant increase in digital literacy across the country.

The overarching goal is to achieve at least 95% digital literacy by 2030, preparing Nigerians for the demands of a rapidly evolving global digital economy.

Key Initiatives Driving Digital Skill Acquisition

A cornerstone of this national effort is the '3 Million Technical Talent' (3MTT) Programme, launched in 2023 by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. This flagship initiative aims to train 3 million Nigerians in high-demand technical skills by 2027. The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. 'Bosun Tijani, has been instrumental in spearheading this program, which seeks to create 2 million digital jobs by 2025 and establish Nigeria as a net exporter of technical talent.

The 3MTT program focuses on a range of critical technical areas, including:

• Software Development
• UI/UX Design
• Data Analysis & Visualization
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Machine Learning (ML)
• Cybersecurity
• Cloud Computing
• DevOps
• Product Management
• Quality Assurance
• Animation
• Game Development

The training adopts a hybrid model, combining online content with practical, community-based learning clusters across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

In a related effort, the government has inaugurated a Joint Implementation Committee to oversee the training and certification of one million Nigerians in digital literacy and emerging technology skills. This particular program is fully funded and implemented by Clergywealth Cooperative Society Limited, with the objective of equipping youths, clergy, civil society leaders, and rural dwellers, including artisans, for remote work and global technology opportunities. Successful graduates of this six-month program are expected to receive personal computers to facilitate their entry into the digital workforce.

Empowering Youth and NYSC Members

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is playing a crucial role in these initiatives, overhauling its Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) program to incorporate contemporary digital skills such as artificial intelligence and mobile application development. The NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, stated that as of the second quarter of 2025, the scheme had empowered 58,933 corps members with various digital skills. Corps members are also being mainstreamed into the federal government's 3MTT program, further expanding their access to advanced technical training.

Partnerships are vital to the success of these programs. The 3MTT initiative has garnered significant private sector support, with companies like MTN, IHS, and Airtel committing over N6.45 billion. Additionally, global technology giants such as AWS, Google, Huawei, and Microsoft are providing non-cash support, strengthening the training infrastructure and community engagement.

Future Outlook

These comprehensive digital skills training programs underscore the Nigerian government's commitment to human capital development and its vision for a robust digital economy. By equipping a broad spectrum of the population with essential digital competencies, Nigeria aims to enhance its global competitiveness, create sustainable employment opportunities, and drive innovation across various sectors.