Digital Economy: MTN Foundation launches Skills Academy, targets 15 Million Nigerians

MTN Foundation has officially launched its Skills Academy, a transformative digital learning platform designed to empower 15 millions Nigerians with access to digital and financial skills for the 21st-century economy. The network provider Foundation sees the need for the Academy, with the projections that 170 million new jobs will be created by 2030 and about […]

MTN Foundation has officially launched its Skills Academy, a transformative digital learning platform designed to empower 15 millions Nigerians with access to digital and financial skills for the 21st-century economy.

The network provider Foundation sees the need for the Academy, with the projections that 170 million new jobs will be created by 2030 and about 92 million jobs could be displaced and over with 6% youth unemployment and over 18.3 million out-of-school children, Nigeria faces a pressing need to close the digital skills gap.

Speaking at the launch of the Academy in Abuja on Thursday, the Chairman MTN Foundation, Dr. Mosun Belo-Olusoga, said the move is towards democratising education, empowering individuals, and building a digitally skilled workforce.

Olusoga represented by a Director at the Foundation, represented by Mr. Simon Ahanonu, said: “We recognise that digital skills are an essential currency in the global job market. They shape the way we work and learn and challenge our ability to adapt and grow. Most importantly, they equip learners to become more competitive and innovative, establishing them as thought leaders in their communities and the country at large,” he said.

While noting that digital skills are a truly powerful asset, he said, “We’ve made it our mission to ensure that no Nigerian child – regardless of their socio-economic background, is left behind in receiving access to this vital resource and benefitting from the opportunities it provides.”

He said the platform launched is a transformative tool designed to provide world-class learning experiences that will equip students with the knowledge, training and skills they need to thrive in their respective industries.

Speaking, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, said launch of the Academy is critical for Nigeria to deepen its economy, which is rooted in providing opportunities for both young and old Nigerians.

He said: “We should be able to provide meaningful job opportunity, for our people. And this is why at our ministry of Communications Innovation and digital economy, we have are prioritise building capacity through the 3 million technical Talent programme. ”

He said the goal is to ensure that they can actually groom and raise a new generation of Technology Workforce that will help drive the development of the nation but at the same time position Nigeria to become the next exporter of technology talents.

He maintained that the MTN skills Academy will not only raise digital literacy, but also broaden the opportunities for growth in Nigeria.

Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, said: “This is what inclusive education in the digital age looks like. The Skills Academy will make it possible for even the most underserved Nigerian youth to access world-class learning.”

So far, the platform has recorded over 21,000 sign-ups, granted more than 5,000 Coursera scholarships, and supported over 9,000 course enrollments through its pilot phase, setting a strong foundation for nationwide scale