President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to build a digitally skilled youth workforce capable of driving Nigeria into its next phase of economic growth and prosperity.
Speaking at the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) National Impact Summit and the launch of the 3MTT Digital Skills Fund, held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, President Tinubu, represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said the government is laying the groundwork for a tech-driven economy anchored on productivity, innovation and globally competitive talent.
Tinubu stressed that his quest for a trillion-dollar economy depends on equipping young Nigerians with digital competencies that are now central to global economic advancement.
He said, “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. Digital skills now underpin growth across every major sector, agriculture, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, education, and public service.”
Launched in 2023, the 3MTT programme aims to train three million Nigerians in critical technical skills, create two million tech jobs and groom export-ready talent.
The President noted that the programme has already recorded nationwide impact, with 1.8 million applications from all local government areas, and 30,000 trainees completing intensive digital training.
He urged the beneficiaries to remain focused, describing them as the “workforce that will power the next chapter of Nigeria’s development.”
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, said Nigeria’s digital economy remains one of Africa’s most attractive for investment.
He credited President Tinubu’s vision and strong private-sector support for the success of the initiative.
Tijani revealed that when the administration took office in 2023, over 4.5 million jobs were vacant in the global technology space, prompting the ministry to establish what he described as the world’s largest tech talent accelerator.
Beneficiaries at the summit shared testimonials on how the programme transformed their careers and communities.
Hauwa Yakubu Aliyu from Jigawa State narrated how the training enabled her to support farmers with greenhouse farming technology.
She said, “Through 3MTT, I received life-changing opportunities”, recounting her fully funded trip to China for the Huawei ICT Tech4Good Global Summit and a new laptop that aided her learning.
A military officer, Adelani Adelaja from Lagos State, said the programme empowered him to build logistics solutions that enhanced his professional duties and helped him train colleagues in digital skills.
International partners also pledged continued support.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) representative, Elsie Attafuah, praised the administration’s reforms, saying Nigeria had “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.
Goodwill messages from partners, including Google, Moniepoint, Airtel, IHS, Secure ID, and Huawei, commended the Tinubu administration for prioritising youth empowerment and strengthening the digital economy.
The summit marks another major step in the government’s push to position Nigeria as a hub for global tech talent.
