The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) made Nigeriq proud in the US recently as it was among organisations and countries honoured with the “Maximising Impact Award” at Coursera’s 2024 Outstanding Enterprise Customer Achievement Award Ceremony held during the 12th Coursera annual Conference in Nevada, Las Vegas
NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa received the award at the event that recognised organisations that have leveraged Coursera’s offerings to create significant, wide-reaching impact.
Through the “One Million Developers and Skills” initiative, NITDA has empowered Nigerians with vital skills, achieving 8,000+ learners enrolled in nearly 60,000 courses, over 200,000 learning hours completed which is boosting skills, productivity, and employability in less than two years
NITDA launched the “One Million Developers and Skills” initiative, partnering with Coursera to empower Nigerians with digital learning opportunities.
NITDA’s strategic approach not only addresses immediate skill gaps but also lays the foundation for long-term digital transformation in Nigeria.
According to the organisers,the awards recognize trailblazers who have leveraged online learning to drive impact, foster innovation, and build vibrant communities.
From over 170 submissions from over 40 countries, Coursera’s internal committee evaluated entries based on Impact, Innovation, Values, and Community contributions. The selected winners stand out as global innovators, charting new frontiers in continuous learning
Other award winners include Azerbaijan Ministry of Economy that jointly won the AI Innovation Award with a private outfit, Lasen and Taubro Ltd.
The ministry launched the ‘4IR Academy’ project which aims to support the development of digital skills like AI in the country, increase awareness of the importance of continuous learning, and provide access to high-quality education and training, even in rural areas.
The project has allowed 10,000 Azerbaijani citizens to access free courses within a year
To date, 7,000 citizens have used the Coursera platform, achieving approximately 2,600 certificates
Women make up 51% of the registered users, including housewives and mothers with small children who can readily utilize online learning
Additionally, the Azerbaijan Ministry of Economy has launched a Digital Badge program to further expand the reach of their educational initiatives, covering topics like AI, Big Data, and STEM, with more than 60 learners already earning their Digital Badges.