In a bold move to tackle Nigeria’s digital skills crisis and unemployment among its youth, INGRYD Academy has unveiled a five-year scholarship initiative aimed at training and certifying 40,000 Nigerian youths in globally competitive tech skills.
The announcement was made by INGRYD Academy’s Founder and CEO, Khadijat Abdulkadir, during a press briefing held in Lagos on Friday. She revealed that the program will be delivered in exclusive partnership with ISACA, a leading global IT governance and certification body, enabling Nigerian talents to gain credentials recognised in over 190 countries.
“This is not charity. It’s a deliberate strategy to build a skilled, export-ready digital workforce for Nigeria,” Abdulkadir said.
Abdulkadir lamented that although many young Nigerians are learning tech skills, over 80% of them lack the certification required to access international job markets.
“The challenge isn’t that they’re not skilled, it’s that they don’t have the proof employers demand. Without globally recognised certification, they’re shut out of the market,” she said.
To remedy this, INGRYD will subsidise ISACA certifications,normally priced between $1,000 and $2,000,bringing the cost down to $250 per participant. Each student will also receive a one-year free ISACA membership, offering access to a network of over 85,000 IT professionals worldwide.
The training model is instructor-led and hands-on, with daily interactive sessions to ensure real-time learning and practical engagement. Each course spans 3 to 6 months, covering core tech areas such as:
Full-Stack Software Engineering
Data Science with Python and R
AI & Machine Learning
Cybersecurity
DevOps & DevSecOps
Cloud Computing & IoT
Blockchain Technology
Product Management
IT Sales
Data Analytics
Tuition fees range between ₦150,000 and ₦500,000, with flexible installment options available to widen access.
Beyond training, INGRYD will support students in job placement and visa processing, leveraging its international footprint across Nigeria, Texas (USA), and the Netherlands. This integrated approach is designed to overcome systemic barriers Nigerian tech talents face when trying to access remote or overseas employment.
Currently, only 37% of INGRYD graduates are employed post-training, but the academy plans to raise that to at least 70% with this initiative.
“Many companies still perceive Nigerian candidates as a risk because of visa barriers. That’s why we’re building an entire ecosystem that includes training, certification, placement, and visa support,” Abdulkadir added.
Abdulkadir also expressed concern that multinational corporations, including major Nigerian businesses, continue to hire foreign tech talent due to a shortage of certified local professionals.
“It’s unfortunate that companies like Dangote Refinery and major banks hire Indians for roles Nigerians could fill if they were qualified. That’s what INGRYD is fixing.”
What This Means for Nigeria
INGRYD’s initiative comes at a critical time when the country faces high youth unemployment, despite rising demand for digital skills across sectors like fintech, healthtech, and manufacturing.
By reducing financial and systemic barriers, INGRYD aims to unlock massive economic potential and position Nigerian youth as globally competitive tech professionals.
