Nigeria and UAE Strengthen Partnership to Boost Digital Skills for Young Nigerians
The agreement builds on earlier discussions between Nigerian and UAE officials in July 2025, marking a major milestone in both countries’ shared efforts to close the digital skills gap.
Nigeria has deepened its collaboration with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through a new agreement aimed at accelerating digital education and equipping millions of young people with future-ready skills. The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UAE Digital School, under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), during a ceremony held in Dubai.
The agreement builds on earlier discussions between Nigerian and UAE officials in July 2025, marking a major milestone in both countries’ shared efforts to close the digital skills gap. By tapping into the UAE’s experience in digital learning and technology-driven education models, the partnership is expected to deliver broad, scalable programmes capable of preparing Nigerian youth for the demands of the global digital economy.
Under the initiative, Nigeria and the UAE will collaborate on designing and implementing learning solutions that strengthen digital literacy, practical competencies, and employability. The programmes will focus on equipping young people with technology, innovation, and entrepreneurial skills essential for national growth and competitiveness.
Minister Olawande described the partnership as a commitment to expanding opportunities for Nigerian youth and enabling them to build meaningful futures in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. He highlighted that improved digital capacity will stimulate innovation, strengthen job creation, and enhance the country’s global competitiveness.
He also expressed gratitude to the UAE government for its support and acknowledged the contribution of Sapphital Limited, the project’s technical partner, as well as the Federal Ministry of Youth Development team for driving the initiative forward. The collaboration is expected to redefine youth empowerment efforts and deliver long-term impact across Nigeria.
