The Federal Government has announced plans to train 50,000 Nigerian youths in digital skills as part of a broader nationwide strategy to tackle unemployment, expand access to global job opportunities, and strengthen youth participation in Nigeria’s digital economy.
The initiative, which is being implemented through a partnership between the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and The Digital School (TDS), is supported by the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to the government, the programme is expected to produce at least 5,000 internationally certified and job-ready youths within the first six months.
The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, disclosed this during a media interview with African Independent Television (AIT) on Thursday, where he outlined the Ministry’s renewed approach to youth empowerment and sustainable employment creation.
Speaking during the interview, Olawande said the current administration is shifting away from short-term and fragmented empowerment programmes towards systems that can create long-lasting impact for young Nigerians across different sectors.
“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,” the Minister said.
He explained that the digital training initiative with TDS is designed to equip Nigerian youths with globally competitive skills that can position them for remote work opportunities, international employment, and participation in the growing global tech economy.
“Through our partnership with The Digital School and the UAE Government, we are not just training youths; we are preparing them for global opportunities, whether they choose to work remotely or internationally,” he added.
The Ministry also revealed that the programme is being implemented in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), as part of efforts to deepen digital literacy and ensure nationwide reach.
Beyond digital skills development, Olawande highlighted ongoing collaborations with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to improve youth participation in agriculture and agribusiness. He noted that the government is also expanding programmes under the Nigerian Youth Academy alongside other youth-focused initiatives.
According to the Minister, the Federal Government is intensifying support for internships, startups, and gig economy opportunities to help more young Nigerians gain access to income-generating platforms and entrepreneurship support.
He also disclosed that the Ministry has introduced a digital engagement platform known as “Nigerian New Tech” to improve transparency and ensure merit-based access to government opportunities and youth programmes.
“Transparency and merit are at the core of all our programmes. Access to opportunities should not depend on who you know, but on your capacity and readiness to grow,” Olawande stated.
The Minister further stressed that the administration is committed to ensuring that youths, including those in the informal sector, are not excluded from government opportunities.
“For too long, many young Nigerians, especially those in the informal sector, have been excluded from structured opportunities. This administration is committed to ensuring that no young person is left behind,” he said.
He reaffirmed that youth development remains central to Nigeria’s long-term economic growth, adding that the Ministry will continue to strengthen partnerships and expand sustainable empowerment programmes across the country.
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