EU pledges $48m to support FG’s 3MTT digital skills programme

European Union

The European Union (EU) has pledged $48 million to support the Federal Government’s plan to equip three million youths with digital skills.

Gautier Mignot, EU Ambassador to Nigeria, made the pledge on Thursday at the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) National Impact Summit and the launch of the 3MTT Digital Skills Fund at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

Launched in 2023 by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the 3MTT programme aims to train three million young Nigerians in critical technical skills, create two million tech jobs, and export surplus talent.

The programme was created by the Federal Government to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to harness opportunities in the digital sector. The government has repeatedly stressed that its ambition of building a trillion-dollar economy will require deliberate and sustained investment in digital competencies.

Read also: Nigeria secures N6bn private-sector support to scale up 3MTT digital skills programme

According to the ministry, over 4.5 million tech jobs are available globally, presenting a significant opportunity to boost productivity and enhance Nigeria’s economic competitiveness.

George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), said the 3MTT initiative will deepen innovation and build a workforce with globally competitive digital skills.

Akume, who represented President Bola Tinubu, noted that digital skills underpin growth across major sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, education and public service.

He stressed the need for Nigerian youths to acquire digital capabilities, describing them as critical drivers of economic stability, growth and job creation.

“A strong digital workforce creates jobs, expands enterprise and positions Nigeria to compete in the global marketplace. More importantly, it shapes our role in the world. From passive consumers of technology to active creators and exporters of talent, the 3MTT programme will unlock opportunities, empower young people and strengthen our long-term economic prospects.

“From over 1.8 million applications drawn from every local government in the country to new jobs created, startups formed and solutions developed, 3MTT has moved from concept to nationwide impact across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.

Akume urged the 30,000 young Nigerians who have completed the training to remain focused, describing them as the workforce that will power the next phase of the nation’s digital-led development.

Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, said Nigeria’s digital economy remains one of the most attractive investment destinations on the continent. He commended President Tinubu for his vision for a digitally driven economy, and the private sector and development partners for supporting the programme.

Tijani disclosed that over 4.5 million tech jobs were vacant globally when Tinubu assumed office in 2023, prompting the ministry to establish the 3MTT as the world’s largest technology talent accelerator, designed to produce premium technical talent for both domestic and international markets.

Beneficiaries of the programme shared testimonies of how the initiative has helped them develop solutions to local problems, secured job placements, earned scholarships, won international tech competitions, and trained others in their communities.

One of the beneficiaries, Hauwa Yakubu Aliyu from Jigawa State, said the programme equipped her with digital skills that enabled her to support farmers in adopting greenhouse farming methods. She recounted being selected for a fully funded trip to China, where she represented Nigeria at the Huawei ICT Tech4Good Global Summit.

Another beneficiary, Adelani Adelaja, a military personnel from Lagos State, said the programme enhanced his capacity to develop logistics solutions and also enabled him to mentor colleagues in digital skills.

Elsie Attafuah, the representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), commended the Tinubu administration for its economic reforms, saying Nigeria has “chosen reform over retreat, courage over comfort, and the future over the past.”

In goodwill messages, 3MTT partners, including Google, Moniepoint, Airtel, IHS, Secure ID and Huawei, praised the government for its commitment to strengthening the technical capacity of young Nigerians and improving the operating environment for telecom and digital businesses.

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