Federal Ministry of Education Partners with Coursera to Offer Free AI Training to 36,000 Nigerians
Nigeria takes a major step into the digital future as the Federal Government partners with Coursera to provide free artificial intelligence training for 36,000 young Nigerians.
Nigeria Partners with Coursera to Give 36,000 Youths Free AI Training
The digital world is changing fast, and artificial intelligence is at the centre of it. The Federal Government of Nigeria has made a big move. The Federal Ministry of Education has officially partnered with Coursera, one of the world's leading online learning platforms, to provide free AI training to 36,000 young people across the country.
The original announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during the Education World Forum in London. The project is officially called the Digital Training Academy (DTA) under President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.
The government has fully funded 36,000 premium licenses across both Coursera and Pluralsight, meaning the training is 100% free for selected participants. Apart from AI, it also covers cybersecurity, data science, cloud computing, and software engineering.
This partnership aims to help young citizens learn high-demand digital skills without worrying about high tuition costs. As technology continues to reshape industries globally, basic and advanced knowledge of AI has become highly valuable. This initiative is designed to give participants a real advantage in the modern job market.
Through this program, the 36,000 selected youths will gain access to high-quality courses directly on Coursera. These courses will cover different aspects of artificial intelligence, helping learners understand how the technology works and how to use it in real-world situations. By focusing on youth development, the government hopes to create a new generation of tech-savvy workers who can drive local innovation and support the nation's growing digital economy.
The collaboration comes at a critical time when many young Nigerians are actively looking for pathways into the tech ecosystem. On social media platforms where the announcement was shared, thousands of young people have already expressed great enthusiasm and interest in securing a slot.
How You Can Apply
Because the Federal Ministry of Education is running this using a "blended learning" model to ensure students actually finish the courses, the application and learning process will go through two key local institutions:
National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN): NOUN’s centres across all geopolitical zones will handle nationwide access and physical/virtual learning support.
Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH): YABATECH will provide the industry-focused facilitators, mentors, and technical support systems.
The Application Steps:
Wait for the Official Portal Launch: The partnership agreements were just signed in London. The Federal Ministry of Education, NOUN, and YABATECH are currently setting up the combined registration portal.
Institutional Channels: Keep a close eye on the official websites and social media handles of the Federal Ministry of Education, NOUN, and YABATECH, as the application link will be deployed through them.
Selection: Once applications open, youths will register through the portal to claim one of the 36,000 fully funded licenses for the first year.
For the Federal Ministry of Education, this project represents a practical step toward modernizing education and making learning more practical. By working with a global platform like Coursera, the government ensures that the training meets international standards. This opens up doors for participants to compete for technical roles both within Nigeria and internationally.
