MTN Nigeria has committed a total of N3 billion to support the Federal Government’s Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme. The announcement was made by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who hailed the telecom giant’s support as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.
The 3MTT initiative, a key pillar of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, is designed to train and deploy three million young Nigerians in high-demand technical roles, positioning the country as a global hub for tech talent export and digital innovation.
According to Minister Tijani, MTN’s cumulative N3bn investment since the inception of the 3MTT programme demonstrates the powerful role of the private sector in co-creating national development strategies.
“I acknowledge MTN Nigeria’s long-term support for the 3MTT programme. This kind of sustained collaboration drives our vision of building a future-ready workforce,” he said.
MTN, one of Nigeria’s leading ICT and connectivity providers, was an early backer of the 3MTT programme. Through its funding and infrastructure support, it has helped enable inclusive access to digital skills for thousands of Nigerians in urban and underserved communities.
Tijani emphasized that strategic partnerships like this are vital to scaling the programme, unlocking new opportunities in the global digital economy, and reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imported expertise.
“As we scale the 3MTT initiative, we look forward to deepening partnerships with the private sector to unlock more opportunities for our people and economy,” the minister added.
MTN’s N3bn grant is the latest in a growing list of private sector contributions toward the 3MTT programme. Earlier this year, Airtel Africa Foundation provided a N1bn grant, and telecom infrastructure provider IHS Towers also committed N1bn to support the rollout of learning communities across Nigeria.
The IHS partnership goes further, covering the salaries of 37 learning community managers—one for each state and the FCT—for the next three years, ensuring hands-on guidance and mentorship in local tech hubs.
This expanding ecosystem of support reflects a broader national consensus around the importance of digital capacity building, particularly among youth and job seekers.
Launched in late 2023, the 3MTT programme began with an initial 30,000 fellows, representing 1% of the national target. In April 2025, a second cohort of 270,000 learners was inducted, raising the total to 10% of the 3 million target.
The training focuses on high-demand tech skills such as software development, cybersecurity, data analysis, UI/UX design, cloud computing, and digital marketing. Participants are placed in a combination of physical learning communities and online sessions, with mentorship from industry experts and access to internship pathways.
Through this initiative, the government aims to not only address Nigeria’s domestic tech skills gap but also to position the country as a net exporter of digital talent to global markets, in line with current demand trends from Europe, North America, and Asia.
As Nigeria transitions from a resource-dependent economy to a knowledge-driven digital economy, the success of initiatives like 3MTT will be crucial. The Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has made digital inclusion, tech talent development, and innovation support the centerpiece of its national strategy.
Experts believe that with continued investment and coordinated stakeholder efforts, Nigeria could emerge as Africa’s digital talent powerhouse, tapping into the estimated $8.5 trillion global digital economy.