Nigeria’s Benue State plans to train 23,000 young people in digital skills every two years 💻🇳🇬

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The Nigerian state of Benue is positioning digital skills as a key driver of employment and economic transformation. Through a new partnership with Cisco Networking Academy, state authorities aim to train 23,000 young people every two years in some of today’s most in-demand tech skills.

A large-scale digital skills program 📚🚀

On January 19, 2026, the Benue State government officially announced the launch of a massive digital skills training initiative. The program is designed to equip approximately 23,000 young people every two years with the competencies needed to thrive in the digital economy.

This initiative is part of a broader economic modernization strategy. Local authorities believe that developing tech skills is essential to tackling youth unemployment and improving long-term employability. The program primarily targets job seekers, recent graduates, and individuals looking to reskill or transition into tech-related careers.

A strategic partnership with Cisco Networking Academy 🤝🌐

To deliver the program, Benue State has partnered with Cisco Networking Academy, a global leader in digital education and a subsidiary of U.S.-based tech giant Cisco. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Middle East and Africa annual conference held in Dubai.

Under the partnership, participants will gain access to internationally recognized, certified training programs. Course offerings will cover key areas such as computer networking, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital literacy, and emerging technologies—helping align local talent with global industry standards.

Addressing the needs of the digital job market 🧑🏽‍💼📊

Benue’s authorities are betting on market-driven training. The skills taught through the program reflect those most sought after by technology companies, both within Nigeria and internationally.

According to the state government, the initiative will enable young people to tap into opportunities within the digital economy, including remote work, digital services, and jobs linked to global tech platforms. This approach also reduces the pressure to migrate to major cities—or abroad—in search of employment.

Building on existing digital reforms 🔄🏛️

The new program builds on reforms already undertaken by the state administration. During its first year in office, the Benue government announced plans to train 10,000 young people in digital skills.

At the same time, more than 40,000 civil servants received training in digital culture and e-governance. These efforts were aimed at improving public sector efficiency and strengthening transparency. With this new initiative, the government now wants to extend digital capacity-building to a much broader segment of the population.

Toward a local pipeline of digital talent 🌱💡

In the medium term, the continuous training of thousands of young people could significantly reshape Benue’s digital ecosystem. Authorities hope to create a strong local talent pool capable of supporting businesses, public institutions, and technology-driven projects.

By investing heavily in digital skills, Benue State is also seeking to boost its economic attractiveness. Developing homegrown tech talent is seen as a critical lever for attracting investment, fostering innovation, and supporting more inclusive economic growth.

👉🏾 Do you think large-scale digital skills training can genuinely reduce youth unemployment across Africa?