Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, announced the initiative on Thursday after meetings held during the Education World Forum 2026 in London.

The Federal Government said it would fully fund 36,000 training licences in the programme’s first year, removing the cost barrier for participants.

Training will cover Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing and Software Engineering, while successful participants will earn certifications recognised by employers globally.

Alausa described the programme as one of the biggest government-backed digital skills investments in the country.

“On the sidelines of the Education World Forum 2026 in London, I signed a landmark partnership with @coursera to launch the Digital Training Academy (DTA), a major initiative designed to equip Nigerian youths with globally competitive digital skills.”

He added: “Through this programme, young Nigerians will receive world-class training in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Software Engineering and other high-demand digital fields, while earning globally recognised certifications valued by employers across the world.”

The minister said the programme supports President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places attention on youth development, innovation and workforce readiness.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda recognises that digital competency is no longer optional. It is foundational,” Alausa said.

“The Digital Training Academy is a direct investment in helping young Nigerians compete and lead in the global digital economy.”

According to the Ministry of Education, the programme will run in partnership with National Open University of Nigeria and Yaba College of Technology.

The government said NOUN would use its nationwide structure to give students across the country access to the programme, while YABATECH would provide technical support, facilitators and industry-focused mentorship.

“Access to training alone is not enough. What truly changes lives is completion, support and accountability,” Alausa stated.

Officials say the academy forms part of reforms introduced by the government to improve technical and vocational education.

In 2025, the Federal Government revised the Technical and Vocational Education Training curriculum, increasing the focus on practical learning with an 80:20 ratio in favour of hands-on training.

Nigeria also signed an agreement with China last year to strengthen vocational education through technical partnerships and practical training support.

The new academy arrives as demand for digital and AI-related skills increases globally. It also comes at a time when Nigeria faces high youth unemployment and underemployment, pushing more young people to seek technology-related careers and remote work opportunities.

In a message released on December 28, 2025, Prof. Ademola praised the President’s “unwavering political will,” noting that recent diplomatic and security efforts demonstrate a leadership style that remains effective even amid domestic and global complexities.

Addressing the Security Mandate

Acknowledging the recent tragic highway blast in Zamfara State, Prof. Ademola described the event as a “painful reminder” of the urgency facing the nation.

While sympathising with the victims, he joined the call for swift and coordinated interventions to protect citizens.

“President Tinubu has demonstrated that effective leadership is not limited by geography,” Ademola stated, referring to the President’s recent European engagements aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.

He specifically urged the President to speed up efforts to adopting the second pillar of his proposed “Tripod Method“ for curbing insecurity:

• State and Community Policing: Practical implementation and localised security.
• Capacity Building: Ongoing recruitment of Police officers and Forest Guards.

Economic Revitalisation and Global Footprint

Beyond security, Prof. Ademola highlighted the President’s bilateral discussions in Europe, focused on renewable energy, infrastructure expansion, and sustainable development, as a deliberate effort to consolidate three years of economic reforms.

“These engagements reflect a strategic effort to attract foreign investment for inclusive national growth,” Ademola noted, urging the President to remain focused despite distractions or criticism.

The Final Pillar: Traditional Governance

Looking ahead, the Professor emphasised the need to activate the third and final pillar of the Tripod Method: the strategic engagement of traditional monarchs.

He argued that their cultural authority is essential for “Tripod Patriotic Safeguarding” and achieving lasting peace at the grassroots level.

“Nigeria needs leadership that is bold, strategic, and forward-looking,” Prof. Ademola concluded. “Let us unite behind this vision for a safer, stronger, and more prosperous nation.”

Prof. Ademola is Africa’s first Professor of Cybersecurity and Information Technology Management. He is a prominent voice in digital journalism, governance, and national security strategy.

Making the disclosure in Abuja, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, NASENI executive vice chairman, said that the high-tech equipment which his Agency is jointly producing with the DSS, with full support of Mr. President, will improve intelligence gathering and effective security coverage in the country.

“A state-of-the-art manufacturing facility jointly constructed with the DSS in Abuja, is fully-equipped with the latest security systems and technology that will transform the conduct of security operations nationwide,” disclosed the NASENI boss.

He said that, Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, the DSS director general, had always emphasized Mr. President’s vision of promoting self-reliance by Security Agencies in Nigeria and reducing importation of security equipment.

This, stressed by the NASENI boss, explained why both agencies trained and developed technical expertise in manufacturing the security equipment; details of which cannot be disclosed now for obvious reasons.

According to the DG of DSS, the President firmly believes that Nigeria has the capacity to manufacture its own security equipment and should minimize reliance on foreign imports.

“This strategic partnership leverages on NASENI’s scientific and engineering expertise to enhance research and innovation tailored specifically to the needs of the security sector,” Halilu said.

The success of this innovation, he stated, would soon position Nigeria as a leader in security technology manufacturing in the West African Sub-Region, with positive implications for regional stability and economic development.

“The initiative reflects the President’s broader priorities to promote self-reliance and technological advancement in security systems, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s pursuit of sustainable and security solutions,” the NASENI boss declared.

The ceremony took place at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday, October 23, 2025, with Amupitan taking the oath of office at exactly 1:50 p.m.

Dressed in a white agbada and gold cap, the 58-year-old law professor from Kogi State took his oath before a gathering of dignitaries, marking his formal assumption of office. 

Professor Amupitan pledged to discharge his duties “in accordance with the law” and to exercise the powers vested in him with fairness and responsibility.

President Tinubu congratulated the new INEC boss and charged him to uphold the principles of democracy with integrity and courage. “Approach your responsibilities with the highest level of integrity and patriotism,” the President urged. 

He reminded Amupitan that the credibility of elections remains the foundation of public trust in democracy. “To maintain trust in elections, electoral integrity must be protected,” Tinubu added.

The appointment of Professor Amupitan followed his confirmation by the Senate after a rigorous screening session presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. 

Lawmakers had earlier endorsed his nomination, which was approved by the National Council of State and presented by President Tinubu to fill the vacancy left by Professor Mahmood Yakubu, whose decade-long tenure ended in October 2025.

During his Senate screening on October 16, Amupitan outlined his priorities for INEC, pledging to restore public trust in the electoral system and strengthen the Commission’s independence. 

He promised to conduct elections where “even the loser will congratulate the winner” and to collaborate with key agencies such as the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to improve voter verification and data integrity.

Analysts say Amupitan’s appointment comes at a sensitive moment for INEC, as Nigeria faces challenges over the transparency and efficiency of its electoral processes. 

The 2023 general elections exposed issues about logistics, result transmission, and institutional trust. The new chairman is expected to tackle issues around technological upgrades in voter registration and result collation, legal reforms to fortify the Electoral Act, and more transparent handling of candidate screening and election disputes.

Professor Joash Amupitan succeeds Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman from 2015 to 2025. Yakubu’s tenure saw major reforms, including the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), both aimed at improving election credibility. 

However, his administration also faced issues over delayed result transmission and logistical failures during major polls.

Amupitan’s appointment has been described as a strategic one, balancing regional representation within federal institutions, as he hails from the North-Central region, a political bridge between Nigeria’s North and South.

A seasoned academic and lawyer, Professor Amupitan is currently the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos and the Pro-Chancellor of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State. Born on April 25, 1967, in Ayetoro Gbede, Kogi State, he has built a distinguished career in law, specialising in Company Law, Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation. 

He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2014 and has held several leadership positions, including Dean of the Faculty of Law and Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors at the University of Jos.

The expectations for his tenure are high, the trust deficit is deep, and the need for reform is urgent. The public hopes Amupitan restores faith in the ballot box.

Posting on his Truth Social account on Sunday, Trump declared:

“Any country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS will be charged an additional 10% tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy.”

His remarks follow the 17th BRICS Partner Countries Meeting held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Saturday, where the bloc, now expanded to include Nigeria and eight other partner nations, intensified its call for reforms to global financial institutions and expressed concern over trade-distorting tariffs.

Speaking at the summit, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu urged the international community to rethink the structure of global governance, calling for more inclusive financial and healthcare systems that fairly reflect the voices of low-income and emerging economies, particularly in Africa.

“Environmental degradation, the climate crisis, and widening healthcare inequalities are stalling progress,” Tinubu stated. “We must reform global institutions to better serve the interests of all, not just a few.”

Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the BRICS partnership and pledged continued support for South-South cooperation and inclusive global reforms.

He stressed that sustainable development cannot be achieved while Africa and other underrepresented regions remain on the margins of global decision-making.

Nigeria officially became a BRICS Partner Country in January 2025, joining Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan, following the bloc’s historic 16th summit in Kazan, Russia, in 2024 which introduced the partner category.

Trump’s latest remarks reflect growing unease in Washington over the rising influence of BRICS, which has been pushing for reduced reliance on the U.S. dollar, reformed multilateral institutions, and alternative development finance frameworks. With BRICS increasingly positioning itself as a counterweight to Western-dominated systems, the bloc’s expanded partnerships have not gone unnoticed.

As global alliances continue to shift, Nigeria’s growing role within BRICS signals its ambition to shape international discourse even as it risks facing retaliatory economic measures from Western powers.

The four bills, the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill, were passed by the National Assembly after extensive consultations with various interest groups and stakeholders.

According to Statehouse press release signed by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, when the new tax laws become operational, they are expected to significantly transform tax administration in the country, leading to increased revenue generation, improved business environment, and a boost in domestic and foreign investments.

The historic presidential assent to the bills at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, will be witnessed by the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Senate Majority Leader, House Majority Leader, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and his House counterpart.

The Chairman of the Governors Forum, the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, the Minister of Finance and Coordination Minister of the Economy, and the Attorney General of the Federation will also attend the ceremony.

Here are the four Tax Bills to be signed into:

1. Nigeria Tax Bill (Ease of Doing Business)

One of the four tax reform bills is the Nigeria Tax Bill (Ease of Doing Business), which aims to consolidate Nigeria’s fragmented tax laws into a harmonised statute.

By reducing the multiplicity of taxes and eliminating duplication, the bill will enhance the ease of doing business, reduce taxpayer compliance burdens, and create a more predictable fiscal environment.

2. Nigeria Tax Administration Bill

The second among the tax reform bills , the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, will establish a uniform legal and operational framework for tax administration across federal, state, and local governments.

3. Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill

The Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, the third bill, repeals the current Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and creates a more autonomous and performance-driven national revenue agency— the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS). It defines the NRS’s expanded mandate, including non-tax revenue collection, and lays out transparency, accountability, and efficiency mechanisms.

4. Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill

The fourth bill is the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill. It provides for a formal governance structure to facilitate cooperation between revenue authorities at all levels of government.

It introduces essential oversight mechanisms, including establishing a Tax Appeal Tribunal and an Office of the Tax Ombudsman.

The Chamber has also urged the President to sustain the implementation of its economic reform agenda.

According to LCCI, Tinubu’s focus on economic growth, improving security, and increasing funding for education, healthcare and infrastructure promised improved economic performance in the near future.

A public statement signed by Dr. Chinyere Almona, the director general of LCCI, states: “President Tinubu’s Democracy Day speech marked a pivotal moment for Nigeria, reflecting on the nation’s 26-year democratic journey and a roadmap for its future.

“His address, delivered today on the historic June 12th, underscores the government’s appreciation of democracy, economic development, security, and social cohesion.”

Almonaadded that “as Nigeria reflects on the progress made and the path ahead, we urge the government to remain steadfast about implementing all the required reforms towards a more sustainable and resilient economy.”

According to her, “the government must stay committed to executing all its proposed programs and ongoing reforms to ensure Nigerians reap the benefits of democracy without further delay.

“We urge the government to work towards a nation built on the rule of law, justice, and social cohesion even in our diversity and political sophistication.

“Democracy places a big responsibility on the government to provide credible and adaptive leadership to sail the ship of governance.”

The LCCI also requested specifically that the government should ensure clear and consistent communication about economic reforms and policies to businesses and the public, in order to reduce uncertainty, building confidence, and establish transparent mechanisms for tracking and reporting progress made through reforms.

It also said that government should provide targeted support to businesses to reduce their cost burdens related to energy, logistics, and regulatory compliance.

It recommended non-cash interventions that could ease the harsh production environment and urged the government to expand social safety net programs to support households affected by high living costs and inflation during this transition period and increase funding for public services such as healthcare, education, and social welfare.

It said:

“Foster a collaborative environment between the government, businesses, civil society, and labor unions to ensure fair and timely negotiations on wages and working conditions, and implement continuous dialogue and conflict resolution mechanisms to prevent labour unrest.

“Implement programs that support strategic sectors pivotal to job creation, tax revenues, and infrastructure development. The oil and gas, power, and agriculture sectors require special attention as they offer catalytic support to the economy.

“Support Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) through targeted financing, energy access, and market reforms as they form the backbone of Nigeria’s economy but face limited access to credit and infrastructure.

“Remain sensitive to the concerns of and feedback from the Organised Private Sector (OPS) and engage in more consultations towards achieving better implementation of policies,” the LCCI said.

Dr Tah, a former Mauritanian finance minister and director general of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), was elected during the AfDB Group’s annual meeting on Thursday, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

He secured the position ahead of four other candidates, following a transparent selection process conducted by the Bank’s Board of Governors, comprising Finance and Economy Ministers or Central Bank Governors from the Bank Group’s 81 member countries.

Tinubu applauded the transparent process that led to the former Mauritanian Finance Minister and Director General of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) emerging as the Group’s President.

In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu commended the integrity of the electoral process and Dr Tah’s ability to lead the institution, noting his broad experience in finance and development.

President Tinubu reiterated Nigeria’s solid commitment to partnership with the AfDB, emphasising the country’s position as the Bank’s largest shareholder amongst its 81 regional and non-regional members, which include 54 African and 27 non-African nations.

He cited the recent $500 million capital replenishment of the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF), approved in May  2025, which extends the fund’s operations by 15 years,

“Established in 1976, the NTF is a special AfDB fund fully financed by Nigeria to support development projects across Africa.

“This renewed commitment underscores Nigeria’s continued dedication to the Bank’s mission of driving inclusive growth and poverty reduction on the continent.”

Tinubu also pledged full support for Dr Tah’s development agenda, particularly in areas such as energy access, infrastructure development and strengthening the regional financial sector.

He appreciated the outgoing AfDB President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina for his service and wished him success in his future endeavours.

The president requested the legislature to approve new borrowing plans totaling $21.5 billion, along with €2.19 billion, 15 billion Japanese yen and a €65 million grant, as part of the federal government’s 2025–2026 borrowing framework.

Using the current official exchange rate as of May 27, 2025 at N1650 to $1; the proposed borrowings of $21 billion (N13.65 trillion), €2.19 billion (N4 trillion), 15 billion Japanese Yen (N174 billion) and €65 million (N116 billion) will amount to N17.355 trillion, pushing the country’s debt burden to N162.025 trillion.

The data from the Debt Management Office (DMO) indicated that N56.6 trillion of the country’s current N144.67 trillion debt profile was borrowed by Tinubu’s administration as his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, left it at N87.379 trillion.

The president’s fresh loans request was contained in letters read separately at both chambers of the National Assembly by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.

Why?

The President said the request for the external borrowing was to enable the government fund priority projects across infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, water supply, security and employment generation.

“These projects were selected based on technical and economic evaluations and are geared toward addressing the country’s infrastructure deficit, reducing poverty, creating jobs, and boosting food security,” the president stated.

Citing the impact of subsidy removal and dwindling domestic revenues, Tinubu emphasised the urgency of closing the financial gap through prudent external borrowing, noting that the funds would be targeted at sectors such as power, railways and healthcare.

“I want to emphasise that the projects and programmes included in the Borrowing Plan were selected based on thorough technical and economic evaluations as well as their anticipated contribution to the socio-economic development of the country.

“These initiatives aim to generate employment, promote skill acquisition, foster entrepreneurship, reduce poverty, and enhance food security, all of which will improve the livelihoods of the average Nigerian. The majority of these projects and programmes will be implemented across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.”

He said given the urgent need to stabilise the economy, it was crucial to seek the consideration and approval of the National Assembly for the 2025-2026 External Borrowing Plan as it would enable the government to fulfill its obligations to the Nigerian people through timely disbursement and effective project implementation.

In another letter, Tinubu requested the National Assembly’s approval to raise up to $2 billion through the issuance of foreign currency-denominated financial instruments in Nigeria’s domestic debt market.

“This request is pursuant to the provisions of Section 44 (1) and (2) of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 and Section 1(7) of the Executive Order, which requires National Assembly approval for all new borrowings and appropriation of the proceeds,” the president wrote.

He said the proceeds would be invested in critical sectors of the economy to drive growth, infrastructure, job creation, and foreign exchange earnings.

The strategy, according to him, aims to diversify government funding sources, stabilise the naira and deepen the local financial market.

He said it would allow investors have the opportunity to earn reasonable income on their US Dollar funds, while allowing the government to channel the funds to productive uses in the economy.

However, he acknowledged that the capital raising would increase Nigeria’s public debt stock and debt servicing costs.

N758bn bond to clear pension arrears

In a third request, Tinubu asked the legislature to approve the issuance of bonds worth N757.98 billion in the domestic market to offset outstanding pension liabilities under the Contributory Pension Scheme as of December 31, 2023.

The request, he said, followed the federal government’s non-compliance with several provisions of the Pension Reform Act 2014 over the years due to revenue constraints.

“This bond issuance will enable the federal government to meet its obligations to retirees, restore confidence in the pension system, and improve the welfare of retired public servants,” Tinubu wrote.

(Daily Trust)

According to a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the president will use the period to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms.

He said the leave is part of Tinubu’s annual vacation, but he is expected to engage in consultations during the break and will return to Nigeria after the leave ends.

Onanuga said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja today for the United Kingdom to begin a two-week vacation, part of his yearly leave.

”He will use the two weeks as a working vacation and a retreat to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms.

‘’He will return to the country after the leave expires.”

For records, on Wednesday, May 8, the president returned to the country after more than one week. President Tinubu left Abuja on April 23 for the Netherlands on what the Presidency described as an official visit.

According to his ex-special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the visit was on the invitation of the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. While there, Tinubu engaged in high-level discussions with the Prime Minister and the Dutch royalty, including His Royal Majesty, King Willem-Alexander and his wife, Queen Maxima.

Thereafter, he proceeded to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to attend a special World Economic Forum, WEF, meeting scheduled for April 28 and 29.