The Federal Government has invited organisations and individual professionals to apply for participation in the delivery of its Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, with N4 billion earmarked to support selected partners.
The Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy announced the application process in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, explaining that the funding would support verified training outcomes under Cohorts 5 and 6 of the initiative.
The 3MTT Delivery Network is designed to bring together organisations and skilled professionals to equip Nigerians with technical and digital skills needed to secure employment, undertake freelance jobs or establish businesses.
According to the ministry, Cohort 5 is receiving support from the European Union and Denmark through GIZ Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria, HAUS and ESTDEV. The MacArthur Foundation is also providing a grant through Blue Sapphire Hub.
The ministry said the programme was moving towards a demand-driven and results-based approach, linking skills acquisition to actual industry needs and providing funding based on verified achievements.
It added that the fifth cohort would build on experiences from previous phases by prioritising demonstrable demand for technical skills rather than focusing mainly on increasing the number of trainees.
Since its launch in 2023, the 3MTT platform has recorded more than 1.8 million registrations, while 179,000 fellows have received training across four cohorts and the DeepTech programme.
The initiative has also reached more than 300,000 Nigerians through its wider community resources and opportunities, with over 200 partner organisations participating in its implementation across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The ministry further called on employers, technology firms, funding organisations, state governments and research institutions to become part of the wider 3MTT Partner Network.
It said applications were open to interested organisations and individual professionals within and outside Nigeria through delivery.3mtt.gov.ng.
Funding applications for Cohort 5 may be submitted by individuals or consortia led by organisations registered and operating in Nigeria. The deadline is November 30 at 11:59 p.m.
However, applications for general membership of the delivery network will remain open, with reviews conducted quarterly.
Successful applicants will be admitted as either Enabled Delivery Partners or Funded Delivery Partners under Cohort 5, following the membership assessment process.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said achieving the programme’s three million talent target would require a delivery system that responds to industry needs, reaches communities and can expand its operations.
He described the fifth cohort as a significant step towards achieving that objective.
