FG opens applications for N4bn 3MTT fund

From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja

The Federal Government has opened applications for organisations and individual experts to join the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Delivery Network, with about N4 billion earmarked to support verified outcomes under Cohorts 5 and 6 of the programme.

The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy announced this in a statement on Wednesday, saying the funding would support a results-based model linking technical skills training to employment opportunities and other economic outcomes.

Under the initiative, organisations with verified demand for skilled workers can apply to become Funded Delivery Partners and receive funding to train fellows for identified job opportunities within their organisations or those of their clients.

The ministry said selected partners would submit their talent requirements, participate in selecting fellows matched to the roles and receive financing based on verified results.

Other successful applicants would join as Enabled Delivery Partners, helping to expand access to digital and technical skills training across the country.

These partners would also gain access to the 3MTT Talent Operating System, the National Talent Registry, insights into the skills required by employers, as well as opportunities for device financing and other partner resources, subject to eligibility.

Speaking on the initiative, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said the new approach was designed to strengthen the connection between skills acquisition and employment.

‘Reaching three million technical talents requires a delivery ecosystem that is responsive to industry demand, accessible across communities and built to scale.

‘By tying our support to verified demand and real results, we are strengthening the connection between skills, jobs and economic opportunity, while building the talent pipeline Nigeria needs to compete in the global digital economy,’ he said.

The ministry said Cohort 5 was funded by the European Union and Denmark through the GIZ Digital Transformation Center Nigeria, HAUS and ESTDEV, alongside a grant from the MacArthur Foundation through Blue Sapphire Hub.

The Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Massimo De Luca, said the partnership would help connect young Nigerians with employment opportunities.

‘With the 3MTT Delivery Network, Nigeria is building national infrastructure that funds results, not just training, and connects skilled young people directly to work,’ he said.

Since 2023, more than 1.8 million Nigerians have registered on the 3MTT platform, while 179,000 fellows have been trained across four cohorts and the DeepTech programme.

The programme has also reached more than 300,000 Nigerians through its wider community resources and opportunities, with over 200 partner organisations implementing it across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The ministry called on employers, funders, technology companies, state governments and research organisations to join the wider 3MTT Partner Network as part of efforts to achieve its three million technical talent target.

It said applications were open to organisations and individual experts, both within and outside Nigeria, through delivery.3mtt.gov.ng.

It added that applications for Cohort 5 funding could be submitted individually or as a consortium but must be led by an organisation registered and operating in Nigeria.