In a significant milestone for Nigeria’s digital transformation journey, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has been honoured with the prestigious Coursera Global Impact Award. This recognition comes in light of NITDA’s remarkable contributions to advancing digital skills across Nigeria through its strategic initiatives, positioning the country as a leader in tech education and talent development.
The award was presented at the 12th annual Coursera Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, where global organisations were celebrated for their efforts in shaping the future of learning. Other notable winners at the event included iPeople; Larsen & Toubro and Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Economy (AI Innovation Award joint winners); Prince Sultan University (Engagement Excellence Award); Goeasy (Talent Transformation Award); and Dr. Kelvin Bentley of the University of Texas System (Learning Hero Award).
NITDA’s Vision for a Digitally Empowered Nigeria
Receiving the award, NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, expressed gratitude on behalf of the agency and emphasised the Nigerian government’s commitment, under President Bola Tinubu, to harnessing the power of technology and innovation for economic growth. Inuwa outlined how ICT (Information and Communication Technology) has become a core pillar of Nigeria’s development agenda, driving sustainable growth across various sectors.
“Our vision prioritizes ICT as a fundamental component across all sectors, promoting sustainable growth and development in the country,” Inuwa noted during the event.
This vision has already begun to manifest through initiatives such as the ‘1 Million Developers and Skills Initiative’, which aims to elevate Nigeria’s digital workforce and position the country as a global exporter of tech talent. Since its launch in September 2022, the program has provided 4,000 learners with access to world-class training, with an ambitious goal of training 1 million developers over time.
NITDA’s efforts to close the digital skills gap in Nigeria have yielded impressive results. According to reports, within two years, the agency has trained 8,000 individuals across nearly 60,000 courses on Coursera, amounting to more than 200,000 hours of learning. This initiative not only supports Nigeria’s digital transformation but also enhances the employability and productivity of participants, equipping them with skills that are increasingly in demand on the global stage.
The strategic partnership with Coursera, one of the world’s leading online learning platforms, has proven to be a game-changer for Nigeria’s digital landscape. By providing access to courses from top universities and companies globally, NITDA has empowered Nigerian learners to develop skills in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data analytics, and cybersecurity—fields that are critical for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Tech Digest aptly captured NITDA’s impact, stating that the initiative “addresses immediate skill gaps, lays the groundwork for digital transformation, and significantly enhances the skills, employability, and productivity of the trainees.”
One of NITDA’s key objectives is to foster a tech-enabled workforce capable of driving innovation across Nigeria’s public and private sectors. Through internal transformation efforts at the agency, NITDA has been advancing its staff’s proficiency in emerging technologies like AI and machine learning to improve productivity, efficiency, and knowledge management.
This inward focus on skill development, alongside broader public-facing initiatives, underscores the Nigerian government’s commitment to building a robust digital ecosystem. Inuwa’s leadership at NITDA has been crucial in aligning the agency’s objectives with the country’s long-term vision for technology and innovation.
Nigeria’s Rising Global Tech Profile
The Coursera Global Impact Award serves as a powerful validation of Nigeria’s growing prominence in the global tech community. As Africa continues to attract attention for its burgeoning tech scene, NITDA’s efforts contribute significantly to enhancing Nigeria’s digital credentials on the international stage.
Global companies like Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Google have increasingly shown interest in Africa, investing in infrastructure and partnerships to tap into the continent’s growing tech talent pool. With NITDA’s award-winning initiatives and programs, Nigeria is fast positioning itself as a leading tech talent hub, not only within Africa but also on a global scale.
