The MTN Foundation has unveiled its Skills Academy, a free digital learning platform designed to equip millions of Nigerians with essential digital and financial skills for the 21st-century economy.
The platform was launched at an event held at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, drawing attendance from key government officials, education stakeholders and technology experts.
The initiative is a direct response to Nigeria’s alarming youth unemployment rate and education deficit, with over 6% of young people unemployed and more than 18.3 million children out of school, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and UNICEF.
In a statement delivered on behalf of the MTN Foundation Chairman, Dr. Mosun Belo-Olusoga, Director Simon Aranonu emphasised the Foundation’s commitment to inclusive digital education.
“We believe digital skills are a truly powerful asset. No Nigerian youth or child should be left behind because of their socioeconomic background. This platform is designed to provide world-class learning experiences, helping Nigerian youth thrive and become future leaders,” he said.
The Skills Academy offers self-paced courses and certifications in high-demand fields such as data analysis, software engineering, digital marketing and project management.
Over 7,000 learners have already signed up, with more than 3,000 courses completed—demonstrating early impact and potential for scale.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, described the programme as both “unique and critical.”
“Nigeria is a country that is extremely blessed. With an average age of just 16.9, we are one of the youngest populations in the world. This program is not just about training; it’s about equipping a generation that will drive innovation, deepen our economy, and position Nigeria as a net exporter of tech talent,” the Minister noted in his keynote address.
Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, also spoke on the broader vision behind the project.
“We are focused on building Africa’s largest digital talent pipeline. Through relevant and practical courses across various disciplines, offered in collaboration with the global e-learning platform Coursera, this web-based training system will be instrumental in promoting a digitally skilled workforce,” she said.
Accessible via skillsacademy.mtn.com, the platform is open to anyone aged 13 and above—students, graduates, self-employed individuals and the unemployed. It also features a career guidance tool tailored to help users identify education and career paths aligned with their strengths and market demands.
The initiative is a key part of MTN Foundation’s Digital Skills for Digital Jobs programme and aligns with the federal government’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 on Quality Education.
MTN Nigeria, which has connected over 80 million Nigerians since launching in 2001, says the new platform reflects its ongoing commitment to ensuring everyone benefits from a modern, connected life.
