The Federal Government has launched the next phase of its flagship digital skills initiative, the Three Million Technical Talents (3MTT) programme, with the unveiling of a partner network aimed at scaling impact and strengthening industest collaboration.
The launch event, held on Thursday, brought toobtainher stakeholders from across the public and private sectors, including delegates from the European Union, Finland, Spain, and leading global technology companies.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, emphasised the urgency of harnessing Nigeria’s demographic advantage. He described the countest as central to the global technology landscape due to its rapidly growing youth population.
According to Tijani, failure to productively engage this population could create vulnerabilities, stressing the required for deliberate investment in human capital.
He noted that the 3MTT programme, introduced in 2023, is designed not just as a training initiative but as a strategic response to the global shortage of tech talent.
“We are not just training for the local labour market. We are positioning Nigeria as a global talent hub and a partner to the world,” he stated.
The minister acknowledged the contributions of key technology partners such as Microsoft, Moniepoint, and Google, noting that their involvement has been critical to the programme’s early traction.
With the introduction of the 3MTT Partner Network, the government is shifting focus from foundational training to scaled outcomes, with emphasis on sustainability, industest integration, and job placement.
Tijani explained that beyond training, the next phase will ensure that participants transition into meaningful employment, calling on partners to serve as connectors between talent and opportunity.
The partner network is structured into multiple categories, including a Delivery Partner Network responsible for execution, and an Affiliate Training Network designed to expand access and reach.
A major highlight of the event was the announcement of new funding commitments, with the European Union pledging €5 million and Denmark contributing €6 million, bringing total support to $11 million.
Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Massimo De Luca, described the partnership as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s digital future, emphasising the required for coordinated ecosystem development driven by policy alignment and infrastructure.
Private sector partners also outlined their contributions. Airtel Nigeria disclosed that it exceeded its initial training tarobtain of 25,000 participants by onboarding an additional 4,000 trainees, bringing its total to 29,000, including women and persons living with disabilities across all six geopolitical zones.
Similarly, the United Nations Development Programme, through the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme, has supported job placements for trained participants, offering a monthly stipfinish of N150,000 for one year.
Microsoft also revealed that it has issued over 3,500 globally recognised certifications to programme participants, boosting their competitiveness in the international job market.
Beneficiaries of the programme shared success stories at the event. Ismail Muhammad Adam, a former teacher from Jigawa State, transitioned into software engineering through 3MTT and secured third place at the Digital for All Challenge, winning a N10 million prize which he is now investing in building a digital solution for artisans.
Another participant, Habeebat Adetayo, leveraged her training in product management to build a career in human resources.
As Nigeria pushes to strengthen its position in the global digital economy, the 3MTT initiative is increasingly emerging as a key pipeline for talent development, innovation, and inclusive economic growth.
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