Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, revealed that the Nigerian government is exploring the option of providing unemployment benefits to individuals participating in the ongoing 3 Million Technical Training (3MTT) program. This announcement was made as the minister unveiled the selection of 270,000 fellows for the program’s second cohort.
The proposal for unemployment benefits stems from President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the 3MTT program, which is aligned with his pledge to create 2 million digital jobs. The program aims to equip participants with the skills required for the global digital economy, in line with the President’s vision.
Highlighting the importance of building a tech-savvy workforce, Minister Tijani emphasised the President’s directive to consider unemployment benefits for qualified program participants. The ultimate goal is to empower individuals, strengthen the country’s GDP defense capabilities, and drive overall economic growth.
The minister provided insights into the progress of the first cohort, stating that many fellows have secured job placements as interns nationwide. Additionally, these participants are now gearing up for hackathons within their states, collaborating with peers to apply their acquired skills and develop solutions.
Acknowledging the entrepreneurial potential within the program, Tijani mentioned ongoing efforts to support those interested in launching technology startups, addressing critical issues through innovative solutions.
Regarding the second cohort, Tijani announced the selection of 270,000 participants, reaching 10% of the overall goal after the initial 30,000. The 3MTT initiative, with the aim of training 3 million Nigerians, has garnered around 1.8 million applications from individuals across the 774 local governments in Nigeria.
In closing, the minister welcomed the selected fellows, urging them to check their email inboxes and program dashboards for further instructions. For those not selected, he emphasised their inclusion in the 3MTT Learning Community, providing ongoing access to resources for continuous learning.
3MTT Phase Two Kicks Off: Nigeria Aims to Cultivate Tech Talent for Global Export
The second phase of the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative has been officially launched by Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, & Digital Economy. This phase, designed as a pilot, will train a total of 270,000 fellows, reaching 10% completion after the initial 30,000 participants.
The 3MTT initiative, aimed at positioning Nigeria as a net-exporter of tech talent, has attracted significant interest with about 1.8 million registrations from intended trainees across the country’s 774 local governments.
Minister Tijani outlined the program’s objectives, emphasising the provision of cutting-edge content for fellows to learn at their own pace. The goal is to connect participants to physical learning locations in proximity to their residences over the next 12 to 18 months.
The minister reiterated the initiative’s overarching mission to empower individuals, thereby fortifying the country’s GDP defense and contributing to the growth of the Nigerian economy. The launch of the second cohort signals a continued commitment to building opportunities for the Nigerian people to participate actively in the global digital economy.
