The Airtel Africa Foundation recently gave Nigeria’s digital transformation initiative a significant boost with a pledge of N1 billion to help fund the Federal Government of Nigeria’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program, a flagship initiative designed to train and place Nigerians in tech jobs that are in high demand.

In a historic move, at a handover ceremony in Abuja on Thursday, Dr. Segun Ogunsanya, Chairman of the Airtel Africa Foundation, presented the donation to Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, formally announcing the news.

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3MTT initiative to establish Nigeria as a tech talent hub in Africa

With the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and led by Dr. Tijani, the 3MTT program is Nigeria’s most ambitious attempt to bridge the digital skills gap and establish the nation as a tech talent hub in Africa and beyond.

Launched in 2023, the initiative seeks to equip 3 million Nigerians with advanced digital skills, ranging from project management to data analytics and UI/UX design, while also linking them to job opportunities in local and global markets.

The minister stated that the telecom behemoth’s contribution will directly support the training of more than 25,000 Nigerians, providing not only technical instruction but also hands-on learning, community-based engagement, and assistance with job placement.

More than Corporate Social Responsibility

“This partnership is more than a donation,” Tijani said. “It’s a significant step toward building a workforce that’s equipped for the demands of the global digital economy.”

The investment, he continued, is entirely consistent with the government’s long-term goal of a strong, inclusive digital economy. 

For Airtel Africa, this action represents a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future that goes beyond Corporate Social Responsibility.

“We believe in the power of digital skills to unlock opportunities, drive innovation, and elevate communities,” said Dr. Ogunsanya. “Our support is about helping Nigeria build a future-ready workforce — not just to participate in the digital economy, but to lead it.”

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Previous support from private sector

The 3MTT program has previously benefitted from significant private sector support.

IHS Towers, a telecom infrastructure firm, committed an additional N1 billion in November 2023, which included financing for 37 committed learning community managers nationwide for a three-year term.

In order to reach 10% of its goal, the program began with enrolling 30,000 Nigerians in its first cohort and expanded with an additional 270,000 in its second.

3MTT skills being taught

In addition to teaching programmers, the 3MTT curriculum gives Nigerians a variety of tech-enabled, real-world skills that are instantly applicable in the modern workforce. These consist of SEO & Digital Marketing, CRM & Accounting Software, Data Analysis & Visualization, Project Management Tools, Graphics & UX/UI Design and Cloud Platform Navigation

One thing is evident as the government continues to co-create this program with partners from academia, development agencies, and the corporate sector: Nigeria is actively creating the digital future rather than waiting to be a part of it.

The 3MTT program is evolving into a national movement that aims to unleash Nigeria’s digital potential, driven by consistent private sector investments like those from Airtel and IHS.