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FG to Train 2 Million Nigerians for High-Paying IT Jobs—Here’s How You Can Apply

By Achimi muktar 

In a groundbreaking move to tackle unemployment and equip Nigerians with high-demand digital skills, the Federal Government has announced a six-month free training program for two million youths to fill global IT job vacancies.

Speaking at the third Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja, Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a ₦120 billion fund to drive this initiative forward.

“This program will be launched in May or June, and it will train young engineers for free. The government will cover their internet costs and certifications, including Cisco, Google, and End of Career certifications,” Alausa said.

Where Are the Jobs? The Demand for IT Professionals Is Skyrocketing

Citing UNESCO data, Alausa broke down the global demand for IT professionals:

🔹 650,000 vacancies in software development
🔹 280,000 vacancies in cybersecurity
🔹 160,000 vacancies in IT automation
🔹 150,000 vacancies in AI and machine learning
🔹 120,000 vacancies in cloud computing
🔹 60,000 vacancies in natural language processing

That’s nearly two million open positions, and Nigeria is preparing to train and place its youth in these roles.

Digital Training Academy: Your Gateway to a Tech Career

The Digital Training Academy (DTA), which will oversee this program, is designed to:

✅ Provide free six-month intensive training
✅ Cover internet costs for participants
✅ Sponsor industry-recognized certifications
✅ Focus on STEM education to equip students with the skills needed in the tech industry

“Our strategy is to give young Nigerians the digital skills that will make them globally competitive,” Alausa emphasized.

Beyond IT: FG’s Broader Education Reforms

Alongside the digital training program, the Federal Government is taking bold steps to revamp Nigeria’s education system:

🔹 10 million out-of-school children to be reintegrated into classrooms
🔹 195,000 classrooms to be reconstructed by 2027
🔹 28,000 new toilets and 22,900 boreholes to improve school infrastructure
🔹 7,000 new classrooms to be built
🔹 103 million textbooks to be distributed

Too Many Universities, Not Enough Students?

Alausa also raised concerns about the uncontrolled proliferation of universities, revealing that nearly 200 bills are pending in the National Assembly to create more institutions.

“We have universities with fewer than 1,000 students, yet there’s an intense demand to create more. Instead of building new universities, we should be improving the capacity of existing ones,” he said.

How to Apply for the FG’s Free IT Training

While details on the application process are yet to be released, the Digital Training Academy is expected to begin its free IT training program by June 2025.

This could be your chance to land a high-paying global tech job—stay tuned for updates!