Nigeria’s ambition to become a global hub for technical talent is gaining new momentum with the backing of corporate giants like MTN. The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, recently announced that MTN Nigeria has contributed a cumulative ₦3 billion to support the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative — a flagship government programme designed to build a digitally skilled workforce for the future.
This announcement reinforces the role of public-private partnerships in accelerating Nigeria’s digital transformation. Dr. Tijani praised MTN as a long-standing partner, emphasizing that their involvement predates the initiative’s public recognition.
“MTN Nigeria has been an early supporter of the 3MTT programme, playing a vital role in ensuring that young Nigerians across the country can access inclusive digital training,” he stated. “This kind of sustained collaboration is what drives our vision of building a future-ready workforce and positioning Nigeria as a net-exporter of technical talent.”
Driving Nigeria’s Talent Economy
Launched as a core pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda, the 3MTT programme seeks to train three million Nigerians in digital and tech-adjacent skills over several phases. It kicked off with an initial cohort of 30,000 individuals and later expanded to include 270,000 trainees, reaching 10% of its long-term target.
The initiative aims to address both youth unemployment and the global shortage of digital talent, positioning Nigeria not just as a consumer of technology but also as a supplier of skilled professionals to global markets.
Corporate Contributions Gaining Momentum
MTN’s ₦3 billion investment follows a ₦1 billion grant earlier this year from the Airtel Africa Foundation, further underlining the growing private-sector interest in upskilling Nigeria’s youth.
In addition, IHS Towers has also committed ₦1 billion to the initiative. Beyond funding, IHS is supporting the deployment of learning communities across Nigeria, complete with 37 dedicated learning community managers whose salaries will be covered for the next three years. These communities serve as local hubs for training and mentorship, ensuring that participants receive hands-on support.
Skills for the Digital Economy
The 3MTT program goes beyond traditional coding and software engineering. It focuses on a broad range of digital and tech-enabled roles, including:
- Digital Marketing and SEO
- CRM and Accounting Software
- Data Analysis and Visualization
- Cloud Platform Navigation
- Project Management Tools
- UI/UX and Graphics Design
By equipping Nigerians with skills that are in global demand, the programme is designed to unlock economic opportunities locally and internationally.
A Future Fueled by Collaboration
As Nigeria ramps up efforts to reach the three million milestone, the Ministry has made it clear that collaboration is central to the program’s success. A framework co-created with stakeholders from government agencies, private firms, development partners, and training providers is guiding its phased implementation.
MTN’s latest commitment underscores the increasing confidence the private sector has in the initiative—and in Nigeria’s potential to become a global digital talent powerhouse.
