The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken a decisive step towards building a future-ready workforce by establishing a high-level committee to coordinate a massive digital empowerment program. This move directly targets the ambitious goal of equipping one million citizens with critical digital and emerging skills.
A Milestone for National Digital Transformation
On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, the government officially inaugurated the Joint Implementation Committee (JIC) in the nation's capital, Abuja. The committee's primary mandate is to plan a forthcoming National Digital Literacy Conference and to supervise the large-scale training and certification initiative.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, emphasized that this effort is a core part of the government's strategic plan to achieve 95 per cent digital literacy across Nigeria by the year 2030. The initiative is designed to strengthen the readiness of the national workforce for the demands of the modern economy.
Private Sector Funding and Implementation
During the launch event for the Clergy Wealth Digital Skills Nigeria (SkillUp) Initiative, Akume, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the General Services Office, Ibrahim Kana, provided crucial details about the program's funding. He made it clear that the Federal Government will not bear any financial burden for this project.
The SkillUp Initiative is fully funded, sponsored, and implemented by the ClergyWealth Cooperative Society Limited under its Future Proof Economy (FPE) Model. Akume explicitly stated that the government has no financial obligation, budgetary provision, or funding responsibility for the program.
Alignment with National Agendas
The SGF reiterated that this digital skills drive is in perfect alignment with several key government policies. He named the Digital Transformation Agenda, the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, and President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda as the foundational frameworks guiding the effort.
According to Akume, the inauguration of the JIC marks a significant milestone in the government's deliberate commitment to three core objectives:
- Deepening national digital literacy across all demographics.
- Strengthening human capital development for economic competitiveness.
- Promoting an inclusive digital transformation that supports national development priorities.
The successful execution of this program has the potential to dramatically alter Nigeria's digital landscape, creating a more skilled population capable of driving innovation and securing employment in a rapidly evolving global market.
