Airtel Africa has announced its commitment to bolster digital and technology skills training for 25,000 young individuals across 80 local government areas in Nigeria. This initiative is part of the 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) program, a presidential initiative dedicated to equipping young Nigerians with essential digital and technological skills.
In addition to the training program, Airtel Africa revealed it would offer 10 scholarships for Nigerian students to pursue technology-focused courses at Plaksha University in India through the Airtel Africa Fellowship. These scholarships, managed by the Airtel Africa Foundation, aim to provide Nigerian youth with advanced digital and innovation skills, addressing the talent gap in the technology sector and supporting the nation’s ambition to become a global tech hub.
These initiatives were unveiled during a meeting between Airtel Africa’s Chairman, Sir Sunil Bharti Mittal, Group CEO Sunil Taldar, and Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the State House in Abuja. The discussions also covered Airtel Africa’s ongoing investments in Nigeria’s telecommunications and digital economy.
Following the meeting, Sir Sunil Bharti Mittal expressed Airtel Africa’s commitment to Nigeria, stating, “Nigeria is a strategic market for us, and we are dedicated to supporting the government’s digital transformation agenda. Through initiatives like the Airtel Africa Fellowship and our investment in 3MTT, we are ensuring that young Nigerians have access to world-class education and digital skills. We applaud President Tinubu’s vision for a technologically advanced Nigeria and are eager to contribute to realizing that vision.”
Sir Mittal also highlighted the progress made through the Airtel-UNICEF Reimagine Education Programme, which has enrolled 1,260 schools and over 600,000 students in digital learning platforms, including the Nigerian Learning Passport (NLP). He reaffirmed Airtel Africa’s commitment to enhancing network coverage, service quality, and financial inclusion.
The company welcomed the recent classification of telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), acknowledging it as a crucial step in protecting and expanding Nigeria’s digital framework. Airtel Africa also reiterated its mission to promote financial inclusion across the country, particularly through its subsidiary, SmartCash PSB.
In his remarks, Mr. Taldar emphasized Airtel’s ongoing efforts to support governmental initiatives aimed at accelerating Nigeria’s digital economy. “Airtel is heavily invested in Nigeria’s digital future. We are expanding our network, promoting financial inclusion, and creating opportunities for Nigerians through technology and innovation. Our collaboration with the government through initiatives like the Airtel Africa Fellowship and 3MTT ensures that Nigeria remains a leader in Africa’s digital revolution.”
Airtel Africa remains dedicated to collaborating closely with the Nigerian government and stakeholders to enhance connectivity, develop digital skills, and promote financial inclusion, solidifying Nigeria’s status as a leader in Africa’s digital economy.
