Hope Ajayi 
Education Minister Maruf Tunji Alausa
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government is integrating digital technology into Nigeria’s education system from the primary school level as part of efforts to prepare young people for emerging jobs and the demands of a technology-driven economy.
The Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, while delivering the keynote address at the Cisco Networking Academy Instructor Safari Conference for English West and Central Africa. The conference was themed “Navigating the Future of Skills Development for the Nigerian Economy.”
Alausa said the government’s education reforms were designed to equip students with the technical knowledge and practical competencies required for employment, innovation and entrepreneurship. He identified software development, computer networking, cybersecurity, data analytics, cloud computing and artificial intelligence as priority areas for digital skills development.
The minister, however, stressed that technical expertise alone would not adequately prepare young Nigerians for the changing labour market, noting that critical thinking, communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills were equally important. He called for stronger collaboration between educational institutions and industry stakeholders to ensure that training programmes reflect workplace demands.
According to him, training providers should incorporate practical projects, mentorship, internships and recognised professional certifications into their programmes to bridge the gap between classroom learning and employment. Alausa also highlighted the need to expand access to digital education, particularly for learners in rural communities, girls, persons with disabilities and students facing financial constraints.
He identified six priority areas guiding the ministry’s reforms: science and technology education, technical and vocational training, reducing the number of out-of-school children, girl-child education, digitalisation and quality assurance.
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, also underscored the importance of digital literacy and continuous learning in preparing Nigerians for emerging careers.
Alausa reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working with industry players and development partners to expand digital training opportunities and strengthen Nigeria’s workforce under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
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Mirian Gom 
