Nigeria Opens Free Training for 10 Million Citizens

Ten million Nigerians will soon gain access to free training that could transform their financial futures, as President Bola Tinubu's administration opens registration for an ambitious nationwide skills program.

The initiative offers completely free training in financial literacy, digital skills, entrepreneurship, and vocational trades. Registration launched this week through WAWUAfrica's dedicated portal, with Vice President Kashim Shettima calling it a "transformative intervention" that could make Nigeria a global model for financial inclusion.

The program covers practical skills across eight sectors, from IT and healthcare to creative industries and hospitality. Six professional organizations, including the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Bankers, developed structured courses with certification pathways and mentorship platforms.

Development partners backing the effort include the World Bank, African Union, and ECOWAS. Their involvement ensures the training delivers market-relevant skills while maintaining transparency in the registration process.

Women and young people will receive priority access to the program. Officials emphasized that building financial knowledge and digital capabilities among these groups drives sustainable wealth creation across entire communities.

The government issued a stern warning against potential scammers. "This training is free of charge. No one should be asked to pay any fee," said Nurudeen Zauro, Technical Adviser to the President on Economic and Financial Inclusion.

The Ripple Effect

This program represents more than individual skill-building. When 10 million people gain financial literacy and entrepreneurship training, entire families and neighborhoods benefit from their knowledge.

The initiative builds on partnerships signed in February 2026 between the Office of the Vice President and professional bodies. Those agreements created frameworks for long-term collaboration on human capital development.

Government officials see the program as proof that large-scale investment in people can drive inclusive economic growth. The model could inspire similar initiatives across Africa and beyond.

Registration coordinators are working to guide citizens through the sign-up process while protecting them from fraud. Multiple government agencies and international partners are monitoring enrollment to ensure accessibility.

Nigeria's bold bet on human potential could reshape how nations approach poverty reduction worldwide.