Nigeria is expanding its digital education efforts with a government-funded partnership that will provide 36,000 young people with free AI and technology training through Coursera.
- Nigeria is expanding its digital education efforts with a government-funded partnership that will provide 36,000 young people with free AI...
- The Federal Government of Nigeria partnered with Coursera on Thursday to launch the Digital Training Academy (DTA), offering 36,000 young...
- Participants who complete the programme will earn globally recognised certifications that are highly valued by employers.
- It is foundational,” Alausa said in a post on X.
Keep reading for the full breakdown on AI training — everything you need to know is covered below.
The Federal Government of Nigeria partnered with Coursera on Thursday to launch the Digital Training Academy (DTA), offering 36,000 young Nigerians free, world-class digital education in high-demand technology fields. Minister of Education Tunji Alausa announced the initiative after meetings held during the Education World Forum 2026 in London, where he also signed the agreement.
The programme will provide training in artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, cloud computing, software engineering, and other in-demand digital skills. Participants who complete the programme will earn globally recognised certifications that are highly valued by employers.
Free Coursera AI Training for 36,000 Youths
The federal government has fully funded 36,000 licences on Coursera and Pluralsight for the first year, removing cost as a barrier to training for eligible Nigerian youths. Alausa described it as one of the largest government investments in digital skills in Nigerian history.
The minister described the agreement as “a covenant between government and Nigerian youth,” assuring that the Tinubu administration would continue investing in initiatives that equip young Nigerians with globally competitive skills and qualifications.
“Digital competency is no longer optional. It is foundational,” Alausa said in a post on X. “We are building a generation of young Nigerians that can compete, lead and thrive in the global digital economy.”
AI Training Rolls Out Through NOUN and YABATECH
The programme will be implemented in partnership with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), combining Coursera’s online learning infrastructure with institutional support and industry-focused mentorship on the ground.
The Coursera partnership provides participants with access to course content developed by leading global universities and companies, the same materials available to learners in the United States, Europe, and Asia. The government’s funding eliminates subscription costs that would otherwise make these resources inaccessible to many Nigerian youths.
Officials said the partnership would leverage Coursera’s vast library of courses from top universities and industry leaders, allowing participants to learn at their own pace while gaining certificates recognised internationally. The government added that the initiative is part of broader efforts to close Nigeria’s digital skills gap and position the country as a leading hub for technology talent in Africa.
A separate agreement with UAE-backed Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives is targeting an additional 50,000 Nigerian youths through the Nigerian Youth Academy, covering AI, robotics, cybersecurity, and vocational training. Together, the two programmes represent commitments to train more than 86,000 young Nigerians in technology disciplines within the year.
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