MTN Foundation Unveils Digital Skills Academy

In a bold move to drive digital inclusion and youth empowerment, the MTN Foundation has officially launched its Digital Skills Academy, a strategic initiative designed to equip young Nigerians with essential digital competencies to thrive in today’s global economy.

The launch event in Abuja brought together key stakeholders from the government, private sector, and civil society, all united by a shared goal — preparing Nigeria’s youthful population for a digital future.

Delivering the keynote address, the minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, lauded MTN Foundation for its continued investment in Nigeria’s youth.

Describing the initiative as “unique and critical,” he said it aligns with the Federal Government’s digital economy vision and complements ongoing national programmes such as the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative.

“Nigeria is a country that is extremely blessed. With an average age of just 16.9, we are one of the youngest populations in the world.

“This programme 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,” Dr Tijani noted.

The minister emphasised the importance of inclusion, calling for digital empowerment efforts to reach beyond urban centres to underserved and rural communities.

“The true promise of a digital Nigeria is one where no one is left behind. MTN’s Skills Academy is a step in that direction — building local capacity, enabling job creation, and giving young Nigerians the tools to contribute meaningfully to the economy.

“Together, we can and will build a Nigeria that works for everyone,” he said.

In his welcome address, Simon Aranonu, director of the MTN Foundation, said the launch marked another milestone in the organisation’s mission to democratise access to digital education.

“We believe digital skills are a truly powerful asset. This platform is designed to provide world-class learning experiences, helping Nigerian youth thrive in their industries and become future leaders,” Aranonu said.

He revealed that the skills academy was built in collaboration with Coursera, a leading global online learning platform, and would feature courses across tech disciplines tailored to Nigeria’s development needs.

“No Nigerian youth or child should be left behind because of their socioeconomic background. This platform is our commitment to bridging that gap,” he added.

Also speaking at the event, Etobi Agun, the deputy director of Enterprise Development at the Federal Ministry of Sports Development, delivered remarks on behalf of the minister of youth development, Mr Ayodele Olawande.

She hailed the academy as a “timely and strategic initiative” that supports Nigeria’s broader youth employment and digital transformation agenda.

“Digital skills development is central to addressing youth unemployment. From fintech to content creation, our youth are already showing what’s possible when innovation meets opportunity. But for this potential to truly blossom, we need strong public-private partnerships,” Agun said.

Agun also stressed the need for inclusivity in digital education, particularly for young people with disabilities and those in underserved communities.

“Only through inclusive approaches can we ensure that no youth is left behind in Nigeria’s digital future. This skills academy is a platform for transformation and a spark for the next generation of Nigerian changemakers,” she said.

The MTN Digital Skills Academy aims to train thousands of young Nigerians annually, offering flexible, online learning pathways in digital marketing, software development, data science, and other in-demand fields.

The initiative is critical as Nigeria looks to reposition its economy through innovation, digital infrastructure, and a future-ready workforce. With millions of youths entering the labour market each year, stakeholders at the launch agreed that digital literacy is no longer optional — it is essential.

As the event concluded, stakeholders applauded the foundation’s foresight and pledged continued support for programmes that place Nigeria’s youth at the centre of national development.