3MTT: FG gets N1 billion grant from Airtel Africa to equip 25,000 Nigerians with digital skills

In an effort to strengthen the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program, the Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a N1 billion grant from the Airtel Africa Foundation. The fund will be channeled towards reinforcing the project by empowering more than 25,000 Nigerian youths in digital skills.

The development was announced by the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who noted that the latest milestone will cover a significant part of the program, such as impactful training, community collaboration, and job placement. 

“Today we received a N1 Billion grant from the Airtel Africa Foundation for our @3MTTNigeria programme towards training and empowering over 25,000 Nigerians with in-demand technical skills,” the Minister noted.

He said that the initiative is also a testament to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Ministry’s objective to reinforce young ones with relevant digital skills, which will, in turn, provide them with a lightened path.

“The grant will cover hands-on training, community engagement, and job placement initiatives, all with the objective of enhancing Nigeria’s digital workforce in alignment with H.E President @officialABAT ’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he expressed 

Tijani also commended the telecom company, which operates across Africa, on the collaboration. He stressed that the project would position Nigeria as a key player in the global technology landscape.

See Also: 3MTT: 90,000 Nigerians selected for 3rd cohort, more to come.

Recall that in December, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE) announced a N2.8 billion Google fund to accelerate AI talent development across Nigeria. 

Provided through Google.org to Data Science Nigeria, the fund will bolster the Ministry’s ongoing AI-driven initiatives to upskill youth and under- and unemployed Nigerians, with a focus on AI skill development and education. It is also part of Google.org’s broader $5.8 million commitment to support digital skills programs across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Also in November 2023, the Federal Government partnered with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to facilitate paid internships for 3,000 participants enrolled in the 3 Million Technical Training (3MTT) initiatives.

What you should know about 3MTT

In a recent development, the Ministry announced the selection of 90,000 fellows in the third cohort of its 3MTT in December. 

According to the plans released by the ministry, the training was slated to roll out in multiple phases. The first phase, Cohort 1, accommodated 30,000 people, while 270,000 fellows were enrolled for the second cohort in March this year.

During the selection of fellows for the second cohort of the program, the Ministry disclosed that a significant number of fellows in the first cohort of the program were being placed into jobs as interns all over the country.

It also said all the fellows from the first phase were at a stage where they would be participating in tech competitions like hackathons within their states. This will aid in putting what they’ve learned into practice. It will enhance their ability to work together with their peers and build solutions that can showcase their expertise.

The 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program is a critical part of the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. It is aimed at building Nigeria’s technical talent backbone to power its digital economy and position the country as a net talent exporter.

At the heart of this transformative initiative lies a commitment to empower communities at the grassroots level. The 3 Million Technical Training (3MTT) program’s funding, including provisions for dedicated learning community managers, exemplifies a localized approach to skill development. By nurturing talent in various regions, the program not only strengthens the skills of individuals but also enriches the fabric of local communities.

The program started with 30,000 Nigerians, representing 1 per cent of the 3 million target, while the 270,000 selected for the second cohort increased the quota to 10 per cent. The 90,000 participants picked for the third cohort brought the number to 13 per cent. The 25,000 under this new partnership will sum the total cohort to 415,000, representing 13.9 per cent.