President Bola Ahmed Tinubu says his administration is laying a strong foundation for a digitally skilled youthful workforce that will power Nigeria’s next phase of economic growth and shared prosperity.
Speaking on Thursday at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, during the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) National Impact Summit and the unveiling of the 3MTT Digital Skills Fund, the President—represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume—reaffirmed his commitment to building a trillion-dollar economy anchored on technical expertise, innovation and globally competitive talent.
Launched in 2023 by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the 3MTT initiative aims to train three million young Nigerians in critical technology skills, facilitate the creation of two million tech jobs, and export high-quality talent to global markets.
“Our ambition to build a trillion-dollar economy will not be achieved by chance. It requires productivity, innovation and a workforce whose skills meet global standards,” the President said. “Digital skills now underpin growth across every major sector—agriculture, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, education and public service.”
He noted that equipping young Nigerians with digital competence is central to expanding job opportunities, stimulating enterprise and positioning the country competitively on a global scale.
“A strong digital workforce creates jobs, expands enterprise and positions Nigeria to participate competitively in the global marketplace,” he stated. “From passive consumers of technology, we must become active creators and exporters of talent. The 3MTT programme is unlocking opportunities, empowering young people and strengthening our long-term economic prospects.”
The President acknowledged the programme’s national reach, saying that from over 1.8 million applications across all local governments to the emergence of new startups and tech solutions, 3MTT has transitioned “from concept to nationwide impact.”
He urged the 30,000 young Nigerians who have completed the training to remain focused, resilient and committed to shaping Nigeria’s digital future.
‘Nigeria is now one of Africa’s most attractive digital economies’ — Tijani
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, praised President Tinubu’s vision for a digitally driven economy, noting that Nigeria’s tech ecosystem remains one of the most attractive on the continent for investment.
He revealed that when the administration took office in 2023, there were over 4.5 million unfilled technology jobs globally, prompting the ministry to create what he described as the world’s largest technology talent accelerator in 3MTT.
Beneficiaries of the programme shared testimonies of how the initiative transformed their skills and opened new opportunities—from job placements and international competitions to scholarships and community-driven digital solutions.
One participant, Hauwa Yakubu Aliyu from Jigawa State, recounted how the training empowered her to support local farmers using greenhouse farming technology. She also represented Nigeria at the Huawei ICT Tech4Good Global Summit in China and received a laptop that helped her build practical projects.
Another beneficiary, Adelani Adelaja, a military officer from Lagos, said the programme equipped him with digital logistics tools that improved his professional efficiency and enabled him to train colleagues.
Global partners pledge support
Goodwill messages poured in from development partners, including UNDP’s resident representative, Elsie Attafuah, who commended the administration’s bold economic reforms, saying “Nigeria has chosen reform over retreat, courage over comfort, and the future over the past.”
The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, announced a $48 million pledge to support the 3MTT Digital Skills Fund.
Corporate partners—including Google, Moniepoint, Airtel, IHS, Secure ID and Huawei—also applauded the initiative and the government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s technical capacity and enhancing the business environment for the telecom and digital sectors.
