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Cloud Computing Foundations

Understand the cloud from zero — the base for cloud, DevOps, and security careers that pay in dollars.

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About this course

A concept-first foundation that demystifies 'the cloud' for a complete beginner: what it really is and why companies use it, the IaaS/PaaS/SaaS model, the core service types (compute, storage, networking, databases), the big providers (AWS, Azure, GCP), and the key ideas of regions, scaling, availability, shared-responsibility security, and cost. By the end you can read any simple app's architecture, explain which cloud services it uses and why, and you'll have a costed certification and learning plan that points you toward cloud, DevOps, or security roles paying in naira or dollars.

The cloud is not magic and it's not in the sky — it's other people's computers, in giant data centres, that you rent over the internet instead of buying and managing your own.

What you'll learn

Course syllabus — 7 lessons

  1. What 'the cloud' actually is — and why every company is moving to it13 min
  2. IaaS, PaaS, SaaS — the three ways to rent the cloud14 min
  3. The core service types: compute, storage, networking, databases14 min
  4. The big three providers: AWS, Azure and Google Cloud at a glance12 min
  5. Regions, scaling and availability — why your app stays up and feels fast13 min
  6. Security and cost: the shared-responsibility model and avoiding bill shock14 min
  7. Cloud careers and certifications: your path to naira and dollar jobs14 min

Your project

Cloud Foundations Brief: Explain an App's Architecture + Your Learning Plan

A single shared document link containing: a chosen app described in context, a clear mapping of the app to the four service types (compute/storage/networking/databases) with reasons, its service model and a fast/reliable design using regions/AZs/scaling/availability, a shared-responsibility security list plus cost-control habits, and your own provider choice, foundational certification target, study order, free-tier experiment, and career lane.

Certificates on Skillnaija are earned, not issued for attendance: you submit this project, it is graded against a rubric, and passing issues a certificate anyone can verify.

Frequently asked questions

Is Cloud Computing Foundations free?

Yes. Cloud Computing Foundations is completely free on Skillnaija. You need a free account to open the lessons, and there is no charge for the course, the project, or the certificate.

How long does Cloud Computing Foundations take to complete?

5 weeks · ~4 hrs/week. There are 7 lessons, about 2 hours of material in total. You learn at your own pace and your progress is saved.

Do I need any experience to start Cloud Computing Foundations?

Beginner-friendly. You can start from scratch — no prior experience is assumed.

What will I learn in Cloud Computing Foundations?

You will build practical skills in Explaining what the cloud is and why businesses move to it, Telling IaaS, PaaS and SaaS apart and choosing between them, Knowing the core service types: compute, storage, networking, databases, Reading regions, availability zones, scaling, and high availability, Understanding the shared-responsibility security model, Estimating and controlling cloud cost (and avoiding bill shock), Mapping cloud career paths and the right starter certifications. Every lesson is written for a Nigerian context, with examples drawn from how the work is actually done and paid for here.

Do I get a certificate for Cloud Computing Foundations?

Yes, but it has to be earned. You complete the course project — Cloud Foundations Brief: Explain an App's Architecture + Your Learning Plan and submit it for grading. Passing the project issues a verifiable certificate; finishing the lessons alone does not.

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