Abdulhameed Ugbede Yakubu, a 20-year-old 400-level software engineering student of the Bayero University in Kano, is demonstrating how digital skills training can bridge the gap between classroom theory and practical application. In early 2025, he discovered a virtual learning programme through his current scholarship programme. Required to complete four certificate courses as part of his scholarship, he completed six instead, focusing on Google and Meta-curated modules covering digital tools and software engineering concepts. Since then, the young student swears by the MTN Skills Academy – a virtual platform that provides free digital and financial skills training especially for young Nigerians.

“The Meta beginner course on the Digital Skills Academy platform was particularly helpful for understanding navigation concepts for my current project,” Abdulhameed explained how the academy helped him. “It’s taught in vanilla JavaScript and provides more detailed explanations than the materials you would find on YouTube.” The platform’s intuitive design allowed him to start learning on his phone before switching to his computer, often studying at night when the network was stronger.

From all he has learned from the site in the past five months, the young student has not only started putting it into full use, but he has even bigger dreams of how he will convert it all to wealth. Abdulhameed is currently working on innovative software solutions that address real-world problems. “The platform gave me the technical foundation I needed to understand complex user interface design,” he explains. “I’m applying these concepts to create software that prioritizes user privacy and authentic communication.” He credits his MTN Skills Academy courses for providing the technical foundation he needed for his development projects.

Still, not everything has been smooth sailing. One major challenge Abdulhameed and his peers have faced is the cost of internet data. “The platform uses a lot of data,” he said. “Even my friends complained. A dedicated data plan like the ones we have for social media would make a huge difference.” It’s a common hurdle in Nigeria’s digital learning space, where the cost of staying connected can be a barrier to progress.

Despite this, Abdulhameed remains optimistic and enthusiastic about the academy. He doesn’t just use it, he recommends it. “I’ve told others about it because I know it works,” he said. “The courses are practical, and you come away with real knowledge you can apply.”

His transformation from student to innovative app developer exemplifies how practical digital skills training can complement university education. Abdulhameed’s success represents tangible impact, proof that accessible, well-structured training programmes can empower young Nigerians to build solutions to real problems. “The platform gave me the tools to turn my ideas into reality,” he said, advising fellow students: “If you’re serious about learning something real, this is a great place to start.”