Enrolment in artificial intelligence micro-credentials in Nigeria rose by 93 per cent in 2026, while enrolment in critical thinking certification surged by 113 per cent, according to Coursera’s Global Skills Report 2026.

In the report, signups for AI security certification rose 137 per cent this year. In comparison, generative AI also rose 126 per cent, as Nigeria ranks fifth among the 11 Sub-Saharan African countries covered in the report’s new AI-Human Skills Synergy Index.

“Artificial Intelligence micro-credential enrollments in Nigeria rise 93%: Coursera’s Global Skills Report 2026 Critical thinking enrollments grew 113%, alongside increases of 137% in AI security and 126% in generative. Nigeria also ranks fifth among the 11 Sub-Saharan African countries covered and 81st globally on the report’s new AI-Human Skills Synergy Index,” the report said. 

The report stated that the AI-Human Skills Synergy Index is the first of its kind ranking that measures the extent to which learners across 98 countries are developing AI skills alongside the human skills needed to apply them, while accounting for each country’s broader AI readiness.

It also noted that the significant increase in micro-credential enrolments in Nigeria came as President Bola Tinubu’s administration continued to expand investment in digital skills, citing the Digital Training Academy, a government-funded programme launched by the Federal Ministry of Education last month to train 32,000 Nigerians.

Overall, enrolments in AI courses rose by 28 per cent year on year across Nigeria, according to the Global Skills Report 2026, which analysed learning data from 300 million learners across Coursera and Udemy, alongside national readiness data, to assess developments in AI and human skills acquisition.

“Nigeria’s learners are investing in AI credentials while strengthening the human skills needed to put their knowledge to work. The next opportunity is to make those pathways accessible to more people and connect them with employment and entrepreneurship,” Kais Zribi, Coursera’s general manager for the Middle East and Africa, said. 

He added, “Government, employers, and educational institutions can support this by addressing barriers to participation, supporting people to complete their training, and helping them demonstrate their capabilities. Bringing these elements together can help more Nigerians use AI to solve problems in their workplaces and businesses, extending the benefits of adoption across the economy.”