Nigeria Targets 5,000 Globally Certified Youths Through New Digital Skills Programme
According to the Minister, a major highlight of the initiative is a partnership with The Digital School (TDS), supported by the Government of the United Arab Emirates, aimed at training 50,000 Nigerian youths in globally competitive digital skills.
The Federal Government has intensified efforts to empower young Nigerians through strategic partnerships, digital skills development, and inclusive programmes designed to create sustainable employment opportunities across the country.
The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, disclosed this during a media interview with African Independent Television (AIT), where he outlined the government’s renewed policy direction centred on measurable impact, transparency, and large-scale youth engagement.
According to the Minister, a major highlight of the initiative is a partnership with The Digital School (TDS), supported by the Government of the United Arab Emirates, aimed at training 50,000 Nigerian youths in globally competitive digital skills. He noted that the programme is expected to produce at least 5,000 internationally certified and job-ready youths within its first six months.
Comrade Olawande explained that the government is focusing on practical and sustainable youth development systems capable of preparing young Nigerians for opportunities in the global digital economy. He said the partnership with TDS is intended to equip beneficiaries with skills that will enable them to work remotely, secure international opportunities, and contribute meaningfully to national development.
The Minister also highlighted sector-specific collaborations being implemented by the Ministry, including a partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to increase youth participation in agriculture. He added that the effort is being supported through expanded programmes under the Nigerian Youth Academy and other youth-focused empowerment initiatives.
In addition, the government is scaling up internship, startup support, and gig economy programmes to broaden access to economic opportunities for youths nationwide. The digital literacy drive under The Digital School initiative is also being implemented in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
To improve transparency and ensure merit-based access to opportunities, the Ministry has introduced a digital engagement platform known as “Nigerian New Tech.” The Minister said ongoing reforms in youth health, financial inclusion, and social protection are also aimed at widening access to opportunities for young Nigerians, particularly those in the informal sector who have historically been excluded from structured empowerment programmes.
“We are moving away from fragmented and tokenistic approaches to youth development. Our focus is to build sustainable systems that empower young Nigerians at scale and with real impact,” Olawande stated during the interview.
He reaffirmed that youth development remains central to Nigeria’s economic growth agenda, assuring that the Ministry would continue to deepen partnerships, expand programmes, and implement sustainable frameworks that benefit both present and future generations.
