Tinubu hails 3MTT as game-changer for Nigeria’s digital economy

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme as a transformative force for Nigeria’s youth and digital economy, saying the nation’s true wealth lies in the creativity and potential of its people rather than in oil or minerals.

Speaking at the 3MTT National Impact Summit at the State House Conference Hall, Abuja, Tinubu—represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume—said the initiative has attracted more than 1.8 million applications since May 2023. He said the programme is creating jobs, supporting startups and expanding digital skills training beyond major cities.

“Digital skills now drive growth across every sector, from agriculture and healthcare to finance and manufacturing. 3MTT empowers our youth to become global creators and innovators,” he said.

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The President commended the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and partners including MTN Nigeria, Google, Microsoft, the UNDP and the EU for helping build a digital workforce that will power Nigeria’s next phase of growth and shared prosperity.

Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, praised the President’s digital reforms. He said that in just over two years, the administration has set up the National Data Protection Commission, designated telecom infrastructure as critical national infrastructure and approved a $2 billion nationwide fibre-optic expansion.

Tijani recalled that 3MTT was inspired by the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda pledge to create one million technology jobs, but a deeper sector assessment showed even greater opportunities. “At the end of 2023, there were 4.5 million unfilled tech jobs globally,” he said. “With Nigeria’s youthful population, average age 16.9, we are in a strong position to become a net exporter of skilled talent.”

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This, he said, led to the creation of what is now the world’s largest tech talent accelerator, designed to train three million Nigerians in digital skills for local and global markets. Tijani noted that although the programme began without budgetary provision, the private sector stepped up with critical support.

More than 15,000 fellows have already secured jobs—many earning above N250,000—and 201 learning centres have been activated nationwide. Tijani praised partners such as IHS Towers, MTN, Airtel, Google, AWS and Microsoft for investing billions in the programme through laptops, innovation prizes and technical support.

“Trainees from 3MTT are the future of Nigeria’s digital workforce and a key driver of national productivity,” Tijani said, adding that long-term funding and continued private-sector collaboration will be essential to sustaining the initiative.