Nigeria Trains 135,000 in Tech Skills, Eyes 3 Million

Nigeria's government just hit a milestone that could reshape the country's digital future: 135,000 citizens now have tech skills that translate into real paychecks.

The 3 Million Tech Talent program wrapped up its pilot phase this month, and the numbers tell a story of genuine progress. Minister of Communications Bosun Tijani announced that the three training cohorts have opened doors for 15,000 job and opportunity pathways across the country.

But the reach goes even further. Community resources have extended learning to over 300,000 Nigerians, while another 1.8 million are currently in the pipeline waiting for their turn to learn coding, digital marketing, and other in-demand skills.

Now the government wants to hear what's actually changed in people's lives. The newly launched Impact Challenge asks graduates to share their "before and after" stories on social media, showing how the training shifted their career paths.

Participants who post their journeys using hashtags like #My3MTTStory and #3MTTImpactChallenge can win laptops, tablets, and data bundles. The deadline is February 14, 2026.

The Ripple Effect

This kind of skills training creates waves that spread far beyond individual graduates. When 15,000 people gain access to better employment, that's 15,000 families with more financial stability and communities with more resources.

The program partners with global tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services, connecting Nigerian talent directly to companies actively hiring. That bridge between training and employment makes the difference between a certificate on the wall and money in the bank.

As Nigeria enters the scale-up phase, the focus shifts to making sure skills don't just sit in notebooks but turn into freelance gigs, full-time positions, and entrepreneurial ventures. The Impact Challenge will help identify what's working and what needs adjustment as the program races toward its three million participant goal.

In a continent where youth unemployment remains stubbornly high, watching over 100,000 people gain marketable tech skills in a single pilot program offers a blueprint other nations are watching closely.