President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigeria’s ambition to achieve a one-trillion-dollar economy hinges on the country’s capacity to develop a globally competitive digital workforce, asserting that digital skills are now central to productivity across all major sectors.
Speaking at the 3MTT National Impact Summit held at the Conference Centre of the State House Abuja, the President affirmed that the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme has evolved into a pivotal component of his administration’s efforts to widen opportunities for young Nigerians and reinforce the foundations for sustained economic growth.
President Tinubu who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume said the initiative reflects his conviction that “Nigeria’s most valuable resource is not oil or minerals, but the creativity, determination and potential of our people.”
The Nigerian Leader noted that countries that dominate the fast-changing global economy are the ones investing deliberately in the skills of their youthful population.
The President added that the Renewed Hope Agenda places human capital development at the heart of economic reform because digital skills now underpin growth in agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, finance, education, and public service.
“Our ambition to build a one trillion-dollar economy will not be achieved by chance. It requires productivity, innovation and a workforce whose skills meet global standards,” President Tinubu said.
He noted that building a robust digital workforce does more than generate new jobs. The President added that the initiative fuels enterprise, enhances national competitiveness, and positions Nigeria to become “not merely consumers of technology, but active creators and exporters of talent.”
The President described 3MTT as a model of disciplined execution, noting that the programme has attracted over 1.8 million applications from all 36 states and the FCT, triggered new job placements, and enabled young Nigerians to build startups and develop practical solutions.
“For the first time, opportunity is no longer confined to major cities,” he said, adding that the programme is restoring confidence among young people that they have a place and a future in the digital economy.
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President Tinubu commended the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy for its stewardship and appreciated private sector partners including IHS Towers, MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Google, Microsoft, Huawei, Moniepoint, UNDP and the European Union—for helping to deepen and expand the nationwide programme.
He reaffirmed that the federal government remains committed to scaling and sustaining the initiative, saying: “The Nigeria we seek must be powered by skilled hands, guided by innovative thinking and driven by a generation ready to work, create and lead.”
Impactful Reforms
In his remarks, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, said the success of 3MTT is tied directly to President Tinubu’s unprecedented support for Nigeria’s digital economy over the last two years.
He recalled that upon assuming office, the President signed the National Data Protection Commission Act, giving Nigeria a globally recognised data protection framework for the first time.
Dr. Tijani further underscored the President’s approval, in October 2023, of what is now the world’s largest technology talent accelerator, the 3MTT programme, followed by his May 2024 decision to commit $2 billion toward deploying 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic cable to provide world-class internet connectivity nationwide.
“This project is the largest of its kind anywhere in the developing world,” he said.
In addition, the minister noted that in August 2024, the President declared all telecommunications and ICT assets as Critical National Infrastructure, securing protection for facilities long threatened by vandalism.
He added that in January 2025, President Tinubu approved long-awaited tariff adjustments for telecom operators after a decade of stagnation, helping stabilise the sector and attract fresh foreign investment.
Dr. Tijani further stated that the President recently approved the deployment of 4,000 telecom towers to rural and currently unconnected communities—mainly in the North-East, North-West, North-Central and other underserved regions—bringing 23 million Nigerians into the digital economy.
“These reforms, together with tax harmonisation under the national tax reforms, have made Nigeria one of the most attractive digital investment destinations in Africa,” the minister said.
Giving further details, the Minister outlined the scale and impact of the 3MTT initiative, noting that 1.8 million Nigerians applied—each verified through NIN or BVN. He explained that a precision rollout model enabled the training of the initial 30,000 fellows (1%) between December 2023 and mid-2024. The programme is now completing the 300,000-fellow phase (10%), with more than 15,000 graduates already recorded as having secured job placements.
“Others include many first-time workers now earn over ₦250,000 monthly, 201 applied learning centres have been activated nationwide, 600 facilitators and 15 e-learning partners support training, 37 state community managers are funded by IHS Towers, the private sector has provided billions of naira in funding, SCC donated laptops worth ₦1.5bn, over ₦400 million awarded as innovation challenge prizes and EU/UNDP’s Jubilee Programme funds internship placements for fellows.”
He said IHS Towers alone contributed ₦1 billion to 3MTT, ₦1.5 billion to rebuild the burnt tech park in Kano, and continues to support hubs in Kwara and Borno. MTN committed ₦3 billion, Airtel ₦1 billion, while Google, AWS, Microsoft, SecureID, The Alternative Bank and others provided credits, training capacity and infrastructure.
“This programme is proof that when government, industry and young people unite behind a shared vision, the outcome is transformative,” Dr. Tijani said.
The minister cited global forecasts suggesting that 170 million new technology jobs will emerge by 2030. With Nigeria’s median age at 16.9 and more than 60 percent of its population under 30, he noted that the country is strategically positioned to become a significant exporter of digital talent.
He said the future of the programme includes expanding private-sector partnerships for job placements, improving the quality of learning centres, building a national talent operating system and securing a long-term endowment for sustainability.
“We believe 3MTT must continue because its impact on GDP, productivity and global competitiveness will be profound,” the Minister added.