NITDA Honored with Coursera Global Impact Award for Advancing Digital Skills in Nigeria
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has received the prestigious Coursera Global Impact Award for its exemplary efforts in harnessing the resources of Coursera’s online learning platform to create a transformative impact through education.
Coursera, a leading global online learning platform, provides access to courses and degrees from top universities and companies worldwide, empowering learners everywhere to acquire new skills.
The award ceremony was held during the 12th annual Coursera Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, where innovative organizations from around the globe were celebrated for their contributions to education and the future of learning.
Kashifu Inuwa, the Director General of NITDA, graciously accepted the award on behalf of the agency. In his remarks, he expressed gratitude to the organizers for the international recognition and emphasized the Nigerian government’s commitment to economic transformation through technology and innovation under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Our vision prioritizes ICT as a fundamental component across all sectors, promoting sustainable growth and development,” Inuwa stated. “We are also focusing on internal transformation at NITDA, fostering a vibrant organizational culture and advancing our workforce in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence to enhance productivity and knowledge management.”
As part of this vision, NITDA launched the 1 Million Developers and Skills Initiative, aimed at boosting digital skills and employability. This initiative positions Nigeria as a potential global talent exporter and is bolstered by a partnership with Coursera that began in September 2022, initially providing 4,000 licenses for learners.
The Coursera Global Impact Award specifically recognizes NITDA’s launch of the “One Million Developers and Skills” initiative, which empowers Nigerians by providing access to digital learning opportunities. In less than two years, the initiative has enrolled over 8,000 learners in nearly 60,000 courses, totaling more than 200,000 learning hours on the Coursera platform.
This strategic approach addresses immediate skill gaps while laying the groundwork for long-term digital transformation in Nigeria, significantly enhancing learners’ skills, productivity, and employability.
Tech Digest reports that other notable winners at the event included iPeople, a prominent education organization in the Philippines; Larsen & Toubro Ltd. (L&T) and Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Economy, which jointly received the AI Innovation Award; Prince Sultan University, recognized with the Engagement Excellence Award; Goeasy, receiving the Talent Transformation Award; and Dr. Kelvin Bentley from the University of Texas System, honored with the Learning Hero Award.
NITDA’s recognition at the Coursera Global Impact Awards underscores its commitment to fostering a digitally skilled workforce, driving innovation, and enhancing the employability of Nigerians on the global stage.
