The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has announced that over 1 million applicants for the government’s 3 million technical talent (3MTT) program will need to complete an introductory course on Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Dr. Tijani made this revelation in a post on an undisclosed platform, stating that all the applicants are currently in the process of onboarding onto the program’s platform to prepare for the selection of the initial cohort, which will consist of 30,000 fellows.
Earlier this week, the Minister revealed that the number of program applications had exceeded 1 million, and he informed the applicants to expect further instructions through their email.
A group of applicants who have received the email and confirmed their registration is now undergoing the onboarding process onto the fellow platform.
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Progress and Challenges in the 3MTT Program Application Process
Expressing his satisfaction that some of the applicants already onboarded are rapidly completing the AI course, the Minister stated:
“All the 1 million plus applicants for #3MTT are being onboarded onto the fellow platform and directed to an introduction to #AI course while awaiting updates on the first cohort. It’s reassuring to witness many of them complete the course within hours. We’re making significant progress, and I’m eagerly observing it all unfold.”
In the meantime, many program applicants have not yet received the confirmation email from the program team, as revealed by complaints in response to the Minister’s post.
Some applicants are encountering difficulties in progressing with their registration confirmation due to what appears to be a technical issue with the 3MTT platform. They are not receiving the necessary Time Passwords (OTPs) to complete the process.
3MTT Program Phases and Skill Highlights According to the government’s outlined implementation plans, the training will be divided into three phases. The first phase will accommodate 30,000 individuals, followed by the second phase with 300,000 participants, and the third phase will include the remaining 3 million.
The inaugural phase, conducted in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), will engage various stakeholders, including fellows, training providers, partners, and placement organizations.
Minister Tijani has detailed that the first phase will provide skills to Nigerians that leverage technology to enhance various roles. These skills will focus on areas such as Digital Marketing, Project Management Software, Cloud platform navigation, Data Analysis and Visualization, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), CRM Management, Accounting Software, Graphics Design, UX/UI Design, and more.
3MTT Phases
A Path to Digital Empowerment The ultimate phase of the 3MTT program will encompass the remaining 3 million targeted participants. Upon the completion of this phase, the government aims to have transformed a total of 3 million Nigerians into a tech-savvy workforce capable of contributing to the digital economy in various capacities.
This three-phase approach not only empowers individuals with digital skills but also aligns with the broader vision of Nigeria’s digital transformation. It’s a strategic move to bridge the digital divide and equip the workforce with skills that are increasingly essential in the modern world. The 3MTT program is a path to digital empowerment, setting the stage for Nigeria to become a more technologically advanced and competitive nation on the global stage.
