Nigerian government has signed a landmark partnership with the United Arab Emirates to train seven million young Nigerians in digital and entrepreneurial skills.
The Federal Government of Nigeria, led by Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande, has sealed a new agreement with the UAE to boost digital skills among Nigerian youths. The deal was reached during a high-level visit to the UAE, where the Nigerian delegation met with the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa), a top innovation hub in the region.
This partnership, under the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), aims to empower over seven million young Nigerians with digital literacy, leadership, and startup skills. According to Olawande, “Sheraa’s mission aligns perfectly with our goal of unlocking the creative and entrepreneurial potential of our young people.”
During the visit, the team also met with Omar Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work. They discussed future collaborations in areas like AI education, startup incubation, business process outsourcing, and remote work, sectors seen as vital for Nigeria’s digital future.
Back in Nigeria, NiYA has already enrolled more than 210,000 participants. The government is also setting up Greenhouse Centres in all 774 local government areas to spread digital literacy and entrepreneurship at the grassroots.
As part of this collaboration, Nigeria will host its first-ever GITEX-powered National Digital Innovation Showcase in September 2025. The event, organized with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), will feature 300 leading Nigerian startups and attract global investors. There are also plans for a GITEX Youth Local Showcase Series to connect Nigeria with global innovation events like GITEX Africa.
Last year, NITDA signed a Memorandum of Understanding to bring the world’s largest tech fair, GITEX, to Nigeria for the first time in 2025. NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, said the move would give Nigerians access to the best tech conference experience and supports President Bola Tinubu’s agenda for economic growth.
“The future belongs to those who innovate. Our mission is to position Nigerian youth as creators, not just consumers, in the global digital economy,” Olawande said.
Millions of young Nigerians could soon gain the skills they need to compete in the global tech space with this partnership. The government hopes these efforts will drive job creation, boost entrepreneurship, and help transform Nigeria’s economy for the digital age.
