‘Our True Wealth Is Your Talent, Not Oil,’ Tinubu Tells Nigerians

• President Bola Tinubu has highlighted creativity and determination as Nigeria’s real wealth, unveiling the impact of the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, which aims to equip three million Nigerians with market-ready digital and technical skills across all 36 states and the FCT.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigeria’s greatest resource lies in the creativity, determination, and potential of its people—not crude oil or minerals.

He spoke at the 3MTT National Impact Summit held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, emphasizing the role of the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme in driving the nation’s next phase of growth and the vision of a trillion-dollar economy.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Tinubu described 3MTT as a core plank of the Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at transforming Nigeria from a consumer of technology to a creator of talent and solutions.

“Together, we are laying the foundation for a digital workforce that will power Nigeria’s next chapter of growth and shared prosperity,” Tinubu said. “Digital skills now underpin growth across agriculture, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, education, and public service.”

Since its launch in 2023, 3MTT has received over 1.8 million applications from every local government area, resulting in jobs created, start-ups formed, and innovative solutions developed across all 36 states and the FCT, ensuring opportunities are no longer confined to major cities.

Tinubu credited the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy for successfully implementing the programme and acknowledged private sector and development partners, including IHS Towers, MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Google, Microsoft, Huawei, Moniepoint, UNDP, and the European Union, for their support.

Highlighting the programme’s design, he said, “From inception, 3MTT was designed to scale and to drive sustained transformation of digital and technical skills across the country. Achieving this vision requires continued collaboration from government, industry, and the development community.”

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Tinubu assured young Nigerians that the initiative builds “genuine platforms for progress, not ceremonial commitments.” He stressed that the Nigeria his administration envisions is powered by skilled hands, guided by innovative thinking, and driven by a generation ready to work, create, and lead.

The 3MTT programme delivers structured training in software engineering, data science/analysis, product management, UI/UX, cloud, cybersecurity, AI/ML, DevOps, game development, IoT, and related fields. Using a fellows-and-facilitators model, industry-aligned curricula, and pathways to employment—including internships, apprenticeships, and job matching—3MTT aims to expand Nigeria’s digital workforce and restore young people’s confidence in shaping their future in the global digital economy.

According to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijjani, 3MTT is helping position Nigeria as a hub for talent creation and technology export, reinforcing the country’s ambition to lead in innovation and productivity.