Manny Ita
The Federal Government on January 6, 2026, officially inaugurated a Joint Implementation Committee (JIC) in Abuja to oversee the training and certification of one million Nigerians in digital and emerging technology skills before the end of the year.
The initiative is part of the government’s broader plan to achieve 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030 and is aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, which prioritises human capital development and economic diversification through technology.
The programme, formally known as the ClergyWealth Digital Skills Nigeria (SkillUp) Initiative, is being implemented under the Future Proof Economy (FPE) Model. It is structured as a high-level public-private partnership, marking a departure from traditional government-funded skills programmes.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, clarified that the project is entirely privately funded. He said the programme is “100 per cent privately funded and implemented by the ClergyWealth Cooperative Society Limited,” adding that the Federal Government has no financial or budgetary obligations under the arrangement.
The training is targeted primarily at youths, women, underserved communities and persons with disabilities, in line with the government’s inclusion objectives. Participants will undergo a six-month training programme covering core areas such as basic digital literacy and tool usage, online safety, digital entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies including artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
At the end of the programme, successful participants will sit for international certification examinations. In addition, beneficiaries will be provided with personal laptop computers to support their transition into remote work and participation in the global digital economy.
The Joint Implementation Committee is chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the General Services Office in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr Ibrahim Kana. The committee is mandated to plan and organise a National Digital Literacy Conference scheduled for January 28 and 29, 2026, which will serve as the official launch of the Digital Literacy Academy.
The committee is also responsible for coordinating stakeholders across key ministries, including Communications, Education, Youth Development and Information, as well as relevant agencies such as the National Information Technology Development Agency and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund. In addition, it will provide strategic oversight to ensure the training meets international standards and enhances the global competitiveness of Nigerian participants.
The initiative comes at a time when Nigeria’s digital economy is facing funding constraints, following a significant reduction in the 2026 budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Communications, which now stands at N84.56 billion. Against this backdrop, the government is increasingly relying on private-sector partnerships to advance its digital transformation agenda and support its ambition of building a $1 trillion economy.
By equipping one million citizens with in-demand digital skills for remote and outsourced work, the government aims to address rising youth unemployment and position Nigeria as a major hub for global digital talent.
