The Federal Government has entered a partnership with The Digital School, backed by the United Arab Emirates government, to train 50,000 Nigerian youths in globally competitive digital skills, with at least 5,000 certified, job ready participants expected within the first six months of implementation.

Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande disclosed this in a statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Omolara Esan, on Thursday, noting that the initiative forms part of broader government efforts to create sustainable employment opportunities for young Nigerians nationwide.

The programme is being implemented in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency and the National Youth Service Corps, with The Digital School serving as the primary training partner. The ministry is simultaneously scaling up internship, gig economy, and startup support programmes to reach a wider range of beneficiaries across the country.

Sector specific collaborations are also being pursued, including a partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture aimed at increasing youth participation in agriculture. These efforts are being complemented by expanded programmes under the Nigerian Youth Academy, alongside ongoing reforms in youth health, financial inclusion, and social protection.

To strengthen accountability, the ministry introduced a digital engagement platform called Nigerian New Tech, designed to ensure merit-based access to opportunities across all government programmes.

Olawande stated, "We are moving away from fragmented and tokenistic approaches to youth development. Our focus is to build sustainable systems that empower young Nigerians at scale and with real impact."

He added, "Through our partnership with The Digital School and the UAE Government, we are not just training youths; we are preparing them for global opportunities, whether they choose to work remotely or internationally."

The minister also addressed the exclusion of informal sector workers from structured opportunities, assuring that the current administration was committed to reversing that trend.

"For too long, many young Nigerians, especially those in the informal sector, have been excluded from structured opportunities. This administration is committed to ensuring that no young person is left behind," he stated.

Olawande assured that transparency and merit would remain central to all ministry programmes, adding that the government would continue to deepen partnerships and implement sustainable frameworks for the benefit of present and future generations.