The MTN Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Africa’s largest mobile operator, launched its Skills Academy, a free digital platform to train Nigerians in tech skills, aiming to tackle a 6.3 per cent youth unemployment rate, the company said.
The launch ceremony at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja convened senior government officials, education leaders, and technology innovators, reinforcing the growing imperative of public-private collaboration in advancing Nigeria’s digital future.
Nigeria, with 18.3 million children out of school per UNICEF, faces a skills gap, with 40 per cent of its workforce lacking digital competencies, according to the World Bank.
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The Skills Academy seeks to bridge this divide, offering free, self-paced courses and industry-recognised certifications in high-demand fields such as data analytics, software engineering, digital marketing, and project management.
The Chairman of the MTN Foundation, Dr Mosun Belo-Olusoga, said in a statement on Monday, “We believe digital skills are a truly powerful asset. No Nigerian youth or child should be left behind because of their socioeconomic background.
He was represented by the Director of the MTN Foundation, Simon Aranonu.
“This platform is designed to provide world-class learning experiences, helping Nigerian youth thrive and become future leaders,” Belo-Olusoga added.
MTN Foundation, which has invested N23bn in education and health since 2004, aligns the platform with Nigeria’s goal of 70 per cent digital literacy by 2030. The initiative taps into a $2.3bn African e-learning market projected for 2027, according to Research and Markets.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, in his keynote, described the platform as unique and critical.
“Nigeria is an extremely blessed country. With an average age of just 16.9, we are one of the youngest populations in the world. This program is not just about training; it’s about equipping a generation that will drive innovation, deepen our economy, and position Nigeria as a net exporter of tech talent,” the minister commented.
Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, stated, “We are focused on building Africa’s largest digital talent pipeline.
“Through relevant and practical courses are cross various disciplines, offered in collaboration with the global e-learning platform Coursera, this web-based training system will be instrumental in promoting a digitally skilled workforce.”
