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President Bola Tinubu is laying the groundwork for a digital workforce that will underpin Nigeria’s next phase of economic growth, the Presidency has said.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
Onanuga explained that Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, delivered the message at the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) National Impact Summit in Abuja, where the administration also launched the 3MTT Digital Skills Fund.
According to Onanuga, the government’s goal of building a trillion-dollar economy is tied to the development of technical skills and innovation among young Nigerians.
He quoted the president as saying, “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 of our economy, including agriculture, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, education and public service.”
The 3MTT programme, launched in 2023 by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, aims to train three million young Nigerians in critical technical fields, create two million tech jobs and supply surplus talent to global markets.
According to Onanuga, equipping young people with digital skills is essential to job creation and long-term economic stability.
He noted that the programme had attracted more than 1.8 million applications drawn from all local government areas in the country, with 30,000 trainees already completing initial phases of the programme.
“A strong digital workforce creates jobs, expands enterprise and positions Nigeria to participate competitively in the global marketplace.”
The Special Adviser added that the initiative would help move Nigeria “from passive consumers of technology to active creators and exporters of talent”.
“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.”
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said the digital economy in Nigeria is one of the most attractive on the African continent for investment.
“This led to the resolve by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to establish the world’s largest technology talent accelerator in 3MTT, for the sole purpose of training premium technical talent, not just for the Nigerian market,” the Minister stated.
