The Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy has announced a N1 billion, three-year partnership with IHS Nigeria to establish the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programmes learning community in Nigeria.

In a statement on Monday in Abuja, the ministry’s spokesperson, Ekaete Umo, said the key objective of the partnership is a nationwide learning initiative to empower Nigerians with critical digital skills, which is the fulcrum of the 3MTT.

She said the partnership would facilitate the setting up of learning communities in the federation to provide opportunities for the 3MTT participants to gather weekly, learn, collaborate, and build projects, among other things.

“The establishment of these learning communities will also help to facilitate the strengthening of the local innovation ecosystem across the country.

“Under this partnership, IHS Nigeria will provide financial support and industry expertise for this initiative and is also committed to paying the salaries of the 37 dedicated training community managers.

“It will also provide access to a learning platform that will support the 3MTT talent development efforts in the designated locations,” she said.

Speaking on the importance of the partnership that would fast-track this developmental initiative, the Minister of Communications, Bosun Tijani, said the funds provided by IHS Nigeria were a significant commitment.

Mr Tijani said it would further support the ministry’s efforts to generate a pipeline of technical talent to contribute to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda objectives.

“I am excited to welcome IHS Nigeria as a partner on this initiative. Our journey towards a national digital transformation requires significant collaboration between the public and private sectors.

“Also worthy of mention, the 3MTT Learning Community, which will utilise dedicated training space in each state, is aimed at supporting the development of comprehensive digital skills.

“It will prepare participants for the current and future needs of a digital workforce.

“In addition, these communities will provide a dynamic ecosystem that allows participants and community managers to actively engage in knowledge sharing, collaboration, and innovation,” he said.

In his remarks, the IHS Nigeria chief executive officer, Mohammed Darwish, said the organisation took pride in giving back to the people and communities.

He said IHS shared in the federal government’s commitment to the economic empowerment and growth of Nigerians, adding, “This initiative will feed into this administration’s agenda on job creation while enhancing empowerment and growth.”

(NAN)