Maryam Aminu
The Federal Government has unveiled an ambitious plan to train 50,000 young Nigerians in digital skills as part of a sweeping youth empowerment strategy aimed at tackling unemployment and positioning Nigeria’s workforce for global opportunities.
Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, disclosed this during a media interview with African Independent Television (AIT), where he outlined the administration’s renewed focus on large-scale, impact-driven youth development programmes.
According to the Minister, the initiative is anchored on a strategic partnership with The Digital School (TDS), supported by the Government of the United Arab Emirates, and is expected to produce at least 5,000 internationally certified and job-ready youths within the first six months.
He explained that the programme forms part of broader efforts by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to expand access to digital jobs, entrepreneurship opportunities, and sustainable livelihoods for young Nigerians across the country.
Olawande said the Ministry is also deepening sector-based collaborations, including a partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), to boost youth participation in agriculture and agribusiness.
He added that government is scaling up internship schemes, gig economy opportunities, startup support initiatives, and digital literacy programmes through collaborations 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 Minister said the Ministry has introduced a digital engagement platform known as “Nigerian New Tech.”
“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.
He added: “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.”
The Minister stressed that the administration remains committed to inclusive youth development, particularly for young people in underserved and informal sectors who have long been excluded from structured opportunities.
He further assured that youth development would remain central to Nigeria’s economic growth agenda, noting that the Ministry would continue to expand strategic partnerships and implement sustainable empowerment frameworks nationwide.
Africa Security Investigation News 