By Jacinta Nwachukwu
The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) has announced plans to establish a fully accredited Digital Academy to equip Nigerians of all ages with critical digital skills.
The Chief Executive Officer of PPDC, Mrs Lucy Abagi, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja said the centre would boost efficiency and global competitiveness.
She added that the academy would be open to participants from as young as five years old to adults of any age.
Abagi emphasised that digital skills have become indispensable in Nigeria’s expanding economy, describing them as “essential tools for navigating, creating and managing information in today’s technology-driven world”.
“PPDC is about 80 per cent technology-driven. Everything we do has a technology component.
“Globally, tech skills are in high demand, and I foresee a time in the near future when the global market will come to Nigeria in search of skilled professionals,” she said.
Abagi noted that the rapid growth of internet usage, even at the community level, underscores the urgency of long-term investments in digital capacity building.
“The digital world is constantly evolving, and everyone wants to go digital.
“As a tech-driven organisation, we must ensure that we have the skills needed to sustain and manage our products,” she explained.
Building on its ongoing safer internet and online capacity-building initiatives, Abagi said PPDC is now expanding its vision with the creation of the PPDC Digital Academy.
“The academy will be open to everyone, from age five to infinity, offering training in coding, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and much more,” she said.
According to her, about 20 young Nigerians have already benefited from the academy during its pilot phase.
She added that PPDC planned to launch another pilot nin 2026, while finalising accreditation to enable the centre to certify its trainees.
“Our goal is to make it a fully accredited academy.
“We are currently putting structures in place to ensure we can certify beneficiaries and begin with at least two courses in the first phase,” she said.
She stressed that the academy would not only strengthen PPDC’s work but also provide Nigerians with opportunities to compete effectively in the global digital space.
“We need an academy that trains Nigerians and advocates, empowering them with the digital skills required to thrive in today’s world,” she reiterated.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that PPDC is a citizen-oriented organisation established in 2003.
It is dedicated to promoting citizens’ participation in governance and strengthening the integrity of public institutions and governance processes.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi
