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.

MTN Champs is Nigeria’s largest grassroots sports competition, a collaboration between MTN Nigeria and Making of Champs (MoC), providing a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents and potentially represent Nigeria on the global stage.

Osaze Ebueku, senior manager, Go-to-Market at MTN Nigeria at the opening ceremony of the MTN Champs Classics events in Benin had emphasised the long-term vision behind MTN Champs:

“We’re building future Olympians for Nigeria. MTN Champs is about more than competition. It’s about changing lives.”

The continental relays mark the second leg of the MTN Champs Season 3, following the Classics competition in Benin, which saw 4,371 event entries from 2,056 athletes.

As of March 24, the Lagos leg had already recorded 2,821 event entries across different age categories, highlighting the growing enthusiasm around the competition.

The registered athletes are spread across four categories, with 174 in the Cadet (U-14) category, 388 in Youth (U-17), 270 in Junior (U-20), and 279 in the Senior category.

To ensure smooth participation, organisers have outlined important guidelines. Athletes in the Cadet, Youth, and Junior categories must submit a signed Parental Consent Form, while all registered schools and athletes must collect their competition bibs by April 8 at the competition venue to confirm their participation and secure their place on the start list.

Sports enthusiasts can look forward to an electrifying showcase of emerging talent, as young athletes seize the opportunity to prove their skills on a professional stage.

This initiative, which kicks off in March 2025, aims to empower young adults with the knowledge and tools to make informed skincare choices while fostering a culture of self-care and confidence.

The campaign will commence with Lagos State University (LASU) on Thursday, March 13, 2025, followed by Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) on Friday, March 14, 2025.

Other institutions slated to benefit from this initiative include the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), and Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). Specific dates for these institutions will be announced via Konga Health’s social media handles, ensuring students stay informed and prepared to participate.

At the heart of this initiative are panel discussions featuring renowned dermatologists and influential skincare advocates.

These sessions will provide students with invaluable insights into skincare best practices, common misconceptions, and the science behind maintaining healthy skin.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to engage directly with experts, ask questions, and receive personalized advice tailored to their unique skin types and concerns.

In addition to the educational component, Konga Health, a business that boasts an exclusive partnership with L’Oréal, the world’s largest cosmetics brand, will offer free product sampling, allowing students to experience high-quality skincare products firsthand.

This hands-on approach not only enhances learning but also helps participants identify products that work best for their skin. To further sweeten the deal, there will be exciting giveaways of beauty products, giving students the chance to take home premium skincare items.

According to an insider at Konga, this initiative is part of the company’s broader commitment to promoting health and wellness among Nigerians.

By targeting students, Konga Health aims to instill lifelong skincare habits early, ensuring that young adults are equipped to prioritize their skin health as they navigate the challenges of academic life and beyond.

This innovative campaign underscores Konga’s dedication to leveraging its platform for impactful, community-driven initiatives.

As the program rolls out across campuses, it promises to be a transformative experience for students, blending education, engagement, and empowerment in a way only Konga can deliver.

The 3rd Cavista Technologies Hackathon, held at Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) on February 22nd and 23rd, 2025, was a spectacle of intellect, creativity, and absolute coding determination. 

Team Stark Underflow emerged as the winner, taking the grand prize of N2 million after an intense battle against 29 other teams, comprising over 100 students from leading institutions in Lagos.

The prize money wasn’t the only catch, as the event reiterated that automation is no longer a futuristic concept but a present-day innovation. 

With the theme ‘Smart Automation: Enhancing Care Through Integrated Systems,’ participants were challenged to develop real-world solutions that could boost efficiency in industries ranging from healthcare to financial services.

The hackathon was graced by the Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, who stressed the importance of continuous technological advancement in Nigeria.

“We remain committed to building an ecosystem to support technology through collaboration. In furtherance to this, we will launch a new platform that will enable young people to learn new skills and collaborate with private organizations because technology is driving almost everything we do,” he stated.

He further noted that automation has indeed become a key driver of services in Nigeria, urging young people to harness their creativity and innovative determination with the power of collaboration to make a solid impact. 

“Let the hackathon not just be a competition but a platform for solutions that will shape the future of a smart automation process in Nigeria and beyond,” he added. 

“The tech industry isn’t just about writing lines of code; it’s about solving problems. You don’t work in isolation. Collaboration is everything.”

The General Manager of Cavista Technologies, Oyebola Morakinyo, also urged students to leverage innovation without fear of failure: “At Cavista Technologies, our vision is to be the most innovative and respected solutions provider in the market. We provide services that drive transformation, enhance efficiency, and position organizations to lead in the future by leveraging our team of skilled engineers and industry experts. This is why we are here—to push boundaries and discover the next set of engineers to impact our community.”

The hackathon didn’t just bring young minds to focus on coding, it also included learnings about strategy, teamwork, and market viability. A key takeaway? “You must know what the business strategy is, the product you’re building, and what value it delivers. Technical skills are important, but understanding how to sell your solution is just as critical.”

The Winners: Innovation and Practicality

The high point of the event was the announcement of the winners:

• 1st Place: Team Stark Underflow (LASUSTECH) – ₦2,000,000
• 2nd Place: Team Trendsetters (UNILAG) – ₦1,000,000
• 3rd Place: Team TechStars (UNILAG) – ₦500,000

Beyond cash prizes, all participants walked away with mentorship opportunities, networking access, and career-defining collaborations to help them grow and thrive even more in the technology sector. 

As a flagship initiative of Cavista Technologies, a global leader in technology solutions and development services, the hackathon reflects the company’s commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing tech talent. 

With a team of engineers and industry experts, Cavista Technologies is focused on delivering cutting-edge technology solutions that streamline processes and accelerate project delivery.

With a presence across multiple continents, Cavista is focused on building the next generation of engineers with the skills and opportunities to innovate, disrupt, and lead.