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The Federal Government said it’s repositioning Nigeria’s education system to produce job-ready graduates with skills in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, cloud computing, networking and data analytics to meet the demands of the evolving labour market.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the reforms would bridge the gap between classroom learning and workplace requirements by equipping Nigerian youths with practical competencies for employment, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Alausa stated this while delivering the keynote address at the Cisco Networking Academy Instructor Safari Conference for English West and Central Africa, themed, “Navigating the Future of Skills Development for the Nigerian Economy.”
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by Ikharo Attah, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the minister, Alausa said the Federal Government was transforming education from a system focused primarily on academic learning to one that prepares learners for productive employment and enterprise creation.
He noted that digital technology was changing how people learn, work, communicate and create value, making it necessary for educational institutions to equip students with skills relevant to emerging workplace demands.
The minister identified software development, networking, cybersecurity, data analytics, cloud computing and artificial intelligence as critical areas of digital competence for Nigerian youths.
He, however, stressed that technical expertise must be complemented by critical thinking, communication, teamwork and the ability to solve real-world problems.
According to him, the success of digital training institutions should not be measured solely by examination results, but by learners’ ability to develop practical solutions, create useful products, improve services and establish sustainable businesses.
To strengthen the connection between education and employment, Alausa called for closer collaboration among educational institutions, industry stakeholders and employers.
He urged training providers to incorporate practical projects, mentorship, internships and recognised certifications into their programmes to ensure that students acquired competencies aligned with industry requirements.
He added that portfolios demonstrating learners’ practical achievements would improve their prospects for employment, entrepreneurship and further learning.
Alausa said the government was integrating digital technology into school curricula from the primary level to establish a foundation for advanced digital competencies.
He explained that the ministry’s reform agenda covered six priority areas: Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medical Sciences (STEMM); Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET); reduction of out-of-school children; girl-child education; data and digitalisation; and quality assurance.
He said digital skills were central to these priorities, supporting scientific learning, practical instruction and evidence-based planning.
The minister also called for equitable access to affordable internet connectivity, digital devices and accessible learning resources, particularly for girls, persons with disabilities, rural learners and students facing financial barriers.
In a related address, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, urged instructors to prioritise critical thinking, complex problem-solving and lifelong learning over examination success alone.
Inuwa, a Cisco Networking Academy alumnus, said digital skills could transform career opportunities and prepare Nigerians for changing workplace demands. He also highlighted collaboration between NITDA and the ministry to integrate digital literacy into school curricula and tertiary education.
Alausa assured Nigerians that the ministry would sustain education reforms, deepen industry partnerships and expand access to quality digital skills training under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
