The Federal Government of Nigeria has received a N1 billion grant from the Airtel Africa Foundation to support the 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) programme. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, is aimed at training young Nigerians with in-demand tech skills to strengthen the country’s digital workforce.
The cheque was officially presented in Abuja by Dr. Segun Ogunsanya, Chairman of Airtel Africa Foundation, to the Minister, Dr. Bosun Tijani.
According to Tijani, the funds will directly benefit 25,000 Nigerian youths through hands-on training, community engagement, and job placement opportunities. These efforts align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to position Nigeria as a digital hub in Africa.
“This grant will further enhance the training of thousands of young Nigerians in skills like data analysis, cloud platform navigation, and digital tools. We appreciate Airtel’s commitment to Nigeria’s future,” Tijani said.
The 3MTT programme began with 30,000 participants and expanded to 270,000 in the second cohort—representing 10% of its overall target. The new grant is expected to accelerate the programme’s growth.
Speaking on the investment, Airtel CEO Segun Ogunsanya noted, “Our N1 billion support is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future workforce and prosperity. We believe digital skills can unlock opportunities and drive economic growth.”
The training will be rolled out in phases through collaborations with educational institutions, government agencies, training providers, and development partners.
Earlier, the federal government had also received a $2.8 billion grant from Google to support AI talent development in the country. As part of ongoing efforts, the first batch of 30,000 trained graduates from the 3MTT initiative will soon be employed across public and private sectors.
This major push reinforces Nigeria’s goal to become not just a participant but a leader in the global tech economy.
