In a major boost for Nigeria’s digital economy ambitions, the Federal Government has partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to provide free AI and cloud computing training to students and educators across the country’s tertiary institutions.
The new initiative, under the AWS ‘Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance’, will deliver practical training in cloud infrastructure, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, all at zero cost to learners in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
Speaking at the launch, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, said the partnership aligns with the Federal Government’s plan to build a pipeline of three million technical talents (3MTT) by 2027.
“This collaboration with AWS is critical for preparing our young people for the jobs of the future. It will help us close the digital skills gap and position Nigeria as a leading hub for tech talent in Africa,” Tijani said.
The programme is already running in 43 federal institutions and will soon expand to private and state-owned schools through nominated campus coordinators. Students will have access to hands-on labs, industry-recognised certifications, and real-world projects that bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and workplace demands.
Uwem Ukpong, Vice President of Global Services at AWS, highlighted that the training is part of AWS’s global commitment to equip 29 million people worldwide with cloud skills by 2025.
Stakeholders say the collaboration will strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to produce highly skilled graduates who can thrive in AI, big data, cloud services, and related emerging sectors. It also builds local opportunities that could help curb the brain drain affecting the country’s digital workforce.
The training initiative complements other government-led programmes, including the 3MTT scheme and the National AI Strategy, aimed at transforming Nigeria into an innovation-driven, knowledge-based economy.
