The Federal Government has restated its resolve to drive Nigeria toward a trillion-dollar economy by boosting investments in digital capabilities and technical expertise.
At the 3MTT Nigeria National Impact Summit in Abuja yesterday, speakers stressed that the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme remains a key pillar of this ambition.
In his address, President Bola Tinubu underscored the significance of human capital growth, stating that the country’s greatest asset is not natural resources but the ingenuity, drive, and potential of its citizens.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, the President also pointed out that the programme attracted applicants from all states and local governments, ensuring that access was no longer restricted to urban centres.
“More importantly, this programme is restoring confidence among young Nigerians that they have a place in the global digital economy and a future they can shape with their own skills,” he added.
In his presentation, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, shared detailed updates on the programme’s reach and achievements.
He disclosed that the 3MTT initiative had created more than 16,000 direct jobs, and that 201 applied learning hubs had been set up nationwide, supported by over 600 facilitators and 37 community managers.
According to the minister, these centres act as hands-on spaces where youths can gain and apply digital expertise. Tijani added that the rollout followed a phased plan that started with 30,000 trainees in December 2023 and grew to 10 per cent of the overall target by mid-2024.
He highlighted that each participant was uniquely identified for accuracy, stressing that the initiative would not only serve Nigeria’s internal market but also help position the nation as a major global supplier of tech professionals.
The summit also featured comments from the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, who affirmed the European Union’s backing for 3MTT. He called the programme a central element of Nigeria’s digital advancement and noted that EU funding and expertise would scale the project and align it with global standards.
Airtel Nigeria’s CEO, Dinesh Balsingh, applauded the initiative for preparing young Nigerians with essential digital capabilities, describing them as emerging national assets. He stated that Airtel remained committed to supporting the programme and opening doors for participants, especially those in underserved areas.
Likewise, Google’s Director for West Africa, Olumide Balogun, observed that the programme’s focus on advanced tech fields, such as AI and machine learning, positions Nigeria to take a competitive role in the global digital market.
He stressed that Nigerian innovators have the capacity not only to adopt technology but to develop solutions that can be exported to international markets.
