The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Education, has launched a comprehensive digital skills development programme in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) Academy.
The initiative, announced on July 4, 2025, aims to equip Nigerian lecturers and students with essential 21st-century skills in cloud computing, machine learning, and other emerging technologies.
Led by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, the programme is part of the broader Renewed Hope Agenda and the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI).
It seeks to strengthen Nigeria’s human capital capacity in the global digital economy.
Describing the initiative as “timely and transformative,” Dr. Alausa emphasized the long-term impact of the programme, “This effort positions Nigerian graduates and lecturers for success in the global digital economy.”
The pilot phase has already onboarded coordinators from 43 Federal Universities and Polytechnics. The programme is now being expanded to all federal, state, and private tertiary institutions—including universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
To facilitate smooth implementation, institutional heads have been asked to nominate coordinators who will assist in enrolling lecturers and students into the programme.
In a significant boost for accessibility, the Ministry announced that certification costs will be fully covered—50% by the Ministry and 50% by AWS, making participation entirely free.
Interested institutions are encouraged to register promptly via the Ministry’s official link: https://forms.gle/RABJuj7Ct7rrpwP1A
The onboarding process for the next phase will commence in the coming weeks. The Ministry has urged early registration to ensure placement in what it calls a “ground-breaking programme designed to democratize access to digital education.”
In her closing statement, Mrs. Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations, remarked that the partnership represents a significant milestone: “This initiative marks a major stride in building a future-ready Nigerian education sector where no educator or student is left behind.”
