The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has disclosed that the Federal Government is partnering with Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies for job opportunities for thousands of Nigerians trained under its 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme.

Tijani revealed this when he spoke on a television programme, explaining that while training is crucial, the bigger challenge has always been creating job opportunities for graduates of such initiatives.

Thus far, the 3MTT programme, almost two years old, is said to have trained over 117,000 people, and some of them are already engaged.

Some of the skills Nigerians are being trained on include skills that utilise technology to enhance various roles without directly involving tech creation.

These include Digital Marketing, Project Management Software, Cloud Platforms Navigation, Data Analysis and Visualisation, Digital Marketing, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), CRM Management, Accounting Software, Graphics Design, and UX/UI Design, among several others.

The minister stated that the government is now prioritising partnerships that will help transition participants into the workforce.

“We are working with business process outsourcing companies that are willing to take on Nigerians who are well-trained with digital skills and outsource their services to companies abroad. We are also creating what we call a ‘talent city,’ by identifying government buildings that can be refurbished and turned into well-maintained hubs where BPOs can employ a lot of these fellows,” Tijani said.

The minister highlighted that the 3MTT programme is open to all Nigerians who can read and write, regardless of their educational background.

Supported by partners such as MTN, Airtel, IHS, and development organisations like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), he said the initiative has helped thousands gain hands-on training, with many receiving stipends during their internships.

According to Tijani, several technology companies have already committed to employing 3MTT fellows, but the government’s broader ambition is to scale the programme so that young Nigerians can also take on remote roles with international companies.

He emphasised that Nigeria’s youthful population, with an average age of 16.9 years and nearly 70 per cent under the age of 30, gives the country a demographic advantage at a time when developed economies are facing ageing workforces.