The Federal Government has opened its Digital Training Academy and selected 16,000 Nigerians for the first cohort of the free skills programme.

The initiative forms part of efforts to equip young people with digital skills for the modern economy.

The academy offers training in high-demand areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software development, cloud technologies and related fields. It is being run in partnership with global learning platforms and is fully sponsored by the government, so participants do not pay for the learning licences.

The programme is designed to improve employability and open opportunities in the digital sector for students, job seekers and working professionals. Applicants are required to have a National Identification Number and an active phone number to register.

Training centres have been established across the country to support participants who may not have personal devices or reliable internet access. Successful learners are expected to receive certificates upon completion of the required courses and assessments.

Officials say the academy is part of a broader national effort to close the digital skills gap and prepare more Nigerians for opportunities in technology and related industries. Further cohorts are expected as the programme expands.