The Federal Government of Nigeria has opened access to free AI training in Nigeria and other digital-skills courses for eligible Nigerians through the government-backed Digital Training Academy, with 36,000 learning places available nationwide.
The programme, delivered in partnership with Coursera under the National Skilling Project, is designed to equip students, job seekers and working professionals with skills considered valuable in the country’s expanding digital economy.
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The Digital Training Academy says successful applicants will receive government-sponsored learning licences, meaning participants will not have to pay for access to the programme.
The initiative covers more than 10 technology and professional skill areas across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Among the available fields are software development, cloud technologies, cybersecurity, IT automation, artificial intelligence and machine learning, connected technologies, financial technology, parallel computing, quantum computing and natural language processing.
The artificial intelligence and machine learning pathway is particularly relevant for Nigerians seeking to enter one of the fastest-growing areas of the technology industry.
The training focuses on concepts including AI, machine learning and deep-learning technologies used to build intelligent systems.
Courses are delivered through Coursera, giving participants access to learning content developed by universities, technology companies and other institutions around the world.
The programme is intended for Nigerians at different stages of their careers.
Students can use the training to build practical skills, job seekers can strengthen their CVs, while working professionals can use the opportunity to upgrade their existing capabilities.
The registration process begins through the Digital Training Academy’s official onboarding portal.
Applicants are required to create an account using their National Identification Number and telephone number.
Applicants then complete a profile containing information about their background, interests and career goals.
A pre-assessment follows, allowing the programme to determine an applicant’s existing level of knowledge and recommend an appropriate learning pathway.
After receiving the assessment result and learning pathway, successful participants can begin their training.
The government says the programme is fully sponsored, with participants receiving free learning licences rather than paying subscription fees for the training.
The initiative also attempts to address one of the major barriers to digital education in Nigeria: access to reliable equipment and internet connectivity.
According to the Digital Training Academy, training centres have been established in different parts of the country with internet access and learning devices.
This means participants without personal computers or dependable internet connections can still take part.
Learners who successfully complete the required training and assessments are also expected to receive certificates.
The academy currently lists 36,000 learners and 36,000 certificates, corresponding to the number of training places available under the programme.
The length of the training varies depending on the selected skill track and the learner’s level.
The programme combines online learning with facilitated sessions and practical activities.
However, applicants should be aware that the academy does not publicly provide a complete list of individual Coursera courses for every pathway before registration.
Instead, the specific learning route is expected to appear on each participant’s dashboard after registration and assessment.
The initiative comes at a time when artificial intelligence and digital technology are rapidly reshaping employment, business and education.
For Nigeria, the opportunity is particularly significant because a large and youthful population is entering the labour market while employers increasingly seek technology-related skills.
The programme could therefore provide an important route for Nigerians who might otherwise struggle to afford international online learning platforms.
However, completing a free course does not automatically guarantee employment.
Participants will still need to build practical experience, demonstrate their skills and, where appropriate, develop portfolios that can be presented to employers or clients.
For people interested in AI, cybersecurity, software development and other technology fields, the programme nevertheless offers a potentially valuable starting point without the usual financial barrier associated with premium online training.
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Interested Nigerians can begin the registration process through the Digital Training Academy’s official onboarding portal: https://dta.education.gov.ng/onboarding?utm_source=chatgpt.com
