President Bola Tinubu has unveiled a plan to provide free six-month skills training for two million Nigerians to address the skills gap in the digital workforce. The initiative, set for launch in June 2025, aims to fill vacancies in high-demand sectors and also focuses on improving educational resources and integrating out-of-school children.
President Bola Tinubu has launched a significant initiative to bridge the skills gap within Nigeria’s digital workforce. This program will offer free six-month skills training to equip two million Nigerians with essential digital skills to address vacancies in software development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced the initiative during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja. He referenced a UNESCO report highlighting the urgent need for skilled workers due to nearly two million job vacancies across various sectors, including 650,000 in software development and 280,000 in cybersecurity.
To tackle this skills shortage, the Nigerian government is setting up a Digital Training Academy (DTA) aimed at training young professionals in crucial fields. The initiative will encompass all training costs, including internet access and certifications from prominent tech companies such as Cisco and Google.
Dr. Alausa stated that the objective is to equip Nigerians with competitive and globally recognized digital skills, with the program expected to launch by June 2025. This program aligns with broader efforts to enhance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education to meet workforce demands.
Additionally, the government aims to reintegrate 10 million Out-of-School Children, particularly those from the Almajiri system, by providing training and compensation to teachers. Funds from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) will be reallocated to support the Almajiri Commission’s initiatives.
Regarding school security, the Minister outlined enhancements to the Safe School Initiative, which now includes rapid response security teams operating under a centralized command system. This proactive approach aims to mitigate security threats in educational institutions.
Plans have also been disclosed for constructing 195,000 classrooms, 28,000 toilets, and 22,900 boreholes across Nigeria by 2027. Furthermore, the distribution of 103 million textbooks is intended to ensure a consistent supply of educational materials in schools.
In addition to these educational advancements, President Tinubu has approved a N120 billion startup fund to promote student entrepreneurship and vocational training. The innovative training model will involve students attending school for three days, followed by a combination of training and workshop activities, emphasizing practical learning.
The government aims to revitalize the national library project, allocating N40 billion to initiate this effort, while also boosting academic and research resources nationwide. Minister Alausa addressed the focus on strengthening existing educational institutions rather than proliferating new universities. He also assured that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) would continue indefinitely, debunking prior speculation regarding its termination in 2030, alongside increased investments in university infrastructure and educator recruitment.
In conclusion, President Tinubu’s initiative seeks to mitigate the skills gap in Nigeria’s digital workforce through substantial training programs. With significant funding allocated for educational improvements, the government aims to foster practical skills in young Nigerians, while prioritizing security and resource allocation in schools. This multi-faceted approach also focuses on reintegrating out-of-school children and enhancing existing educational frameworks, ultimately contributing to a more skilled and competitive workforce.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
