Nigerian Journal Sustainability Research

3MTT DeepTech and the Airtel x 3MTT NextGen Fellowship 2026

2026-05-11

In a world where Artificial Intelligence and Data Science are rapidly becoming the most economically consequential skills a person can possess, Nigeria's Federal Government has made a decisive and well-resourced move to ensure its young people are not left behind. Two of the most significant tech skills initiatives currently active in the country — the 3MTT DeepTech_Ready Upskilling Programme and the Airtel x 3MTT NextGen Fellowship 2026 — are now open, actively enrolling, and generating enormous public interest. Here is the complete story of both programmes, the broader 3MTT ecosystem they belong to, and exactly how young Nigerians can benefit from them.

The Foundation: What Is 3MTT?

Before diving into the specific programmes, it is essential to understand the national infrastructure behind them — because the 3MTT ecosystem is the most ambitious government-backed digital talent initiative in Nigeria's history.

The 3 Million Technical Talent programme is a flagship initiative of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy under Minister Dr. Bosun Tijani, implemented by the National Information Technology Development Agency. Launched in October 2023 as a core pillar of President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, its mission is to build Nigeria's technical talent backbone, power the country's digital economy, and position Nigeria as a net exporter of tech talent to the world.

The programme operates in phases. Phase One kicked off in December 2023 with 30,000 fellows selected across all 36 states and the FCT, putting through an intense learning journey that combined self-paced online courses with physical applied learning sessions delivered in partnership with over 120 organisations. Phase Two trained 270,000 technical talents across three cohorts of 60,000, 90,000, and 120,000 respectively, bringing total participation to 300,000 — or ten percent of the three million target.

In March 2026, a major new milestone was reached when the European Union and the Government of Denmark committed an additional €11 million to the programme — €5 million from the EU and €6 million from Denmark — announced at the official launch of the 3MTT Partner Network in Lagos, which also marked the transition into the full implementation phase under 3MTT 2.0. Pioneer corporate partners including IHS Towers, MTN, Airtel, AWS, Google, Microsoft, Huawei, Moniepoint, the EU, and UNDP have collectively committed more than $25 billion in support — representing one of the largest private-sector mobilisations behind a single national talent initiative anywhere in Africa.

Minister Tijani has consistently been direct about the stakes: "The 3MTT programme is not just about learning. It's about lifting millions out of poverty by giving them the skills to compete globally and build a future right here in Nigeria."

Part One: 3MTT DeepTech_Ready — Where Nigeria Gets Serious About AI and Data Science What It Is

The 3MTT DeepTech_Ready Upskilling Programme is one of the most specialised and technically advanced components of the 3MTT ecosystem. It was launched through a landmark collaboration between the 3MTT programme, Data Science Nigeria, and Google.org — supported by a ₦2.8 billion grant from Google.org, part of its $5.8 million investment commitment to empower Africa's digital transformation.

The programme is specifically designed to equip participants with both foundational and advanced skills required to succeed in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence — the two disciplines most likely to define the global economy of the next decade. Where the standard 3MTT curriculum covers a broad range of digital skills, DeepTech_Ready goes deep into one critical vertical, offering a comprehensive educational experience for those ready to advance their technical expertise to a level of industry-relevant mastery.

Who It Is For

The DeepTech_Ready programme is open to two categories of learners. Current 3MTT Fellows who have completed their foundational training and are ready to specialise can enrol directly. Additionally, individuals outside the core 3MTT fellowship who possess basic to intermediate knowledge in relevant technical fields are eligible to apply, with specific prerequisites applying to each course. This dual-access model ensures the programme draws from both the existing 3MTT talent pool and the broader Nigerian tech community.

What the Programme Covers

DeepTech_Ready delivers a structured, multi-stage learning journey through two core tracks. The Data Science track covers the full data pipeline — from data collection, cleaning, and exploration through to statistical analysis, data visualisation, machine learning fundamentals, model building, and deployment. The Artificial Intelligence track goes further, covering neural networks, deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and AI ethics — disciplines that form the backbone of the global AI economy.

The curriculum is built around project-based learning, ensuring that participants apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios rather than working through abstract theoretical content. Learning is delivered through online self-paced modules complemented by expert-led sessions with industry leaders and experienced educators. Upon completion, participants receive internationally recognised certifications in their chosen specialisation.

The Google.org Connection

The partnership with Google.org and Data Science Nigeria is what gives DeepTech_Ready its distinctive character and credibility. Data Science Nigeria is one of Africa's most respected AI research and capacity-building organisations, and its involvement ensures the curriculum reflects actual global industry standards rather than outdated academic content. The Google.org funding has also enabled the programme to offer quality at a scale that would otherwise be financially impossible — all courses are available at no cost to participants.

To register for the DeepTech_Ready programme, visit 3mtt.nitda.gov.ng/deeptech.

Part Two: The Airtel x 3MTT NextGen Fellowship 2026 What It Is

The Airtel x 3MTT NextGen Fellowship is a specialised, premium track within the broader 3MTT programme — one that takes the best of the ecosystem and supercharges it with the institutional resources, mentorship network, and ₦1 billion digital inclusion commitment of Airtel Africa Foundation.

The fellowship is co-created by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and the Airtel Africa Foundation, with support from NITDA and the 3MTT Secretariat. It was officially launched with applications open to young Nigerians across all states.

The NextGen Fellowship is not a mass-enrolment digital course. It is a competitive, curated fellowship designed to identify and spotlight exceptional young Nigerians and equip them with digital skills, mentorship, funding access, and real-world experiences that transform learning into lasting career opportunity. The emphasis is on depth over breadth — on producing a cohort of genuinely employment-ready or startup-ready tech professionals, not merely a large volume of certificate holders.

The Focus Areas

The fellowship covers seven of the highest-demand and highest-value disciplines in today's global digital economy. These are Software Development, Data Science and Analytics, Cybersecurity, UI/UX Design, Cloud Computing, Product Management, and Artificial Intelligence. The 2026 edition places particular emphasis on Data Science and AI upskilling, reflecting the rapidly accelerating global demand for professionals in these fields and Nigeria's strategic positioning within the African AI landscape.

Who Can Apply

The NextGen Fellowship is open to young Nigerians who are passionate about building a career in technology and are willing to commit to an intensive, structured learning journey. Eligible applicants must be young Nigerians eager to build a digital or technical career, with a keen interest in one or more of the seven fellowship disciplines. They must be committed to completing the full fellowship programme and must be open to active participation in projects, hackathons, and collaborative team activities. The programme is designed to be accessible to learners at different stages — those who are job seekers, students, creators, innovators, and individuals transitioning into tech from other careers are all specifically encouraged to apply.

What Fellows Receive

The NextGen Fellowship benefit package is one of the most comprehensive offered by any government-backed tech fellowship in Nigeria today. Selected fellows receive project-based, hands-on learning experiences from the very first week, immersing them in real technical challenges rather than passive content consumption. Mentorship is provided by seasoned professionals from both Airtel and the wider 3MTT expert network — giving fellows access to the kind of industry guidance that is typically available only through expensive private bootcamps or personal connections. Externship opportunities and job placement support connect fellows with employers in Nigeria's growing tech sector as well as international opportunities. National innovation challenges give fellows a public platform to showcase their skills and gain visibility within the tech ecosystem. Upon successful completion, fellows receive certificates and digital badges that are recognised by employers across both the Nigerian and global tech markets.

Funding Access

One of the most significant differentiators of the NextGen Fellowship is its explicit emphasis on funding access. Unlike training programmes that end at certification, the NextGen Fellowship actively connects outstanding fellows with startup funding opportunities, investor networks, and the broader resource infrastructure of both Airtel and the 3MTT partner ecosystem. This is especially significant for fellows with entrepreneurial ambitions who want to build companies rather than join them.

How to Apply

Applications for the Airtel x 3MTT NextGen Fellowship 2026 are submitted through the official NextGen Fellowship portal at nextgen.3mttnigeria.com. Prospective fellows should complete the online application form, clearly indicating their preferred technical discipline and demonstrating their commitment to completing the fellowship journey. No application fees are charged at any stage. Given the competitive nature of the selection process, early application is strongly advised.

The National Impact Challenge: Proof That 3MTT Is Working

One of the most significant recent developments within the 3MTT ecosystem speaks directly to whether all this training is actually producing results. The 3MTT National Impact Challenge, which ran from January 19 to February 14, 2026, invited 3MTT Fellows across all cohorts — including DeepTech Fellows and NextGen Fellows — to share real stories demonstrating how the programme had influenced their skills, careers, and economic opportunities.

The response was extraordinary. Over 2,500 submissions were received from fellows across all 36 states of Nigeria and the FCT. From that pool, 610 Nigerians won prizes collectively valued at ₦20 million, awarded across three categories — 100 laptop winners, 10 tablet winners, and mobile data winners — all specifically chosen to remove barriers and accelerate fellows from learning into real-world impact.

Bosun Tijani captured the significance of the challenge with clarity: "What we are witnessing through the 3MTT Impact Challenge is the emergence of a new generation of builders. These fellows are not waiting for opportunities; they are creating them. This is how we move as a nation from potential to productivity."

The programme team stated openly that the challenge reflects a deliberate shift in 3MTT's focus — from enrolment figures to measurable outcomes. "The National Impact Challenge marks a pivotal moment in 3MTT's evolution in reinforcing that the programme's ambition extends far beyond certification. It is about creating a generation of problem-solvers whose work generates measurable economic and societal value for Nigeria."

The Microsoft Partnership: AI Skills at Scale

Alongside the Airtel partnership, 3MTT's collaboration with Microsoft represents another front in the push to make advanced tech skills accessible across Nigeria. Microsoft has launched a Train-the-Trainer AI initiative through 3MTT, building a nationwide network of certified instructors to scale learning in both urban and rural communities, with hubs across ten regions and hundreds of trainers in the pipeline. The AI Skilling Programme is set to train one million Nigerians by the end of 2026, part of a broader Microsoft commitment to Nigeria's digital transformation. Over 7,000 Nigerian youth have already joined the LinkedIn Premium AI Challenge through this partnership, earning Microsoft-backed career support and rewards.

Why This Moment Matters

Nigeria sits at an extraordinary inflection point in its digital history. It has the largest youth population in Africa. It has a proven track record of producing world-class tech talent — from Paystack to Flutterwave, from Andela alumni to the thousands of Nigerian software engineers working remotely for global companies. What it has lacked is a systematic, government-backed infrastructure to train that talent at scale and connect it to opportunity.

The 3MTT ecosystem — with DeepTech_Ready drilling down into AI and Data Science, and the NextGen Fellowship elevating the most promising individuals into structured, mentored, employment-ready careers — is the most serious attempt Nigeria has ever made to build that infrastructure. With $25 billion in corporate commitments, €11 million in fresh European funding, Google.org's ₦2.8 billion grant, Airtel's ₦1 billion digital inclusion pledge, and Microsoft's AI training machine operating at scale, the resources are genuinely exceptional.

The only remaining ingredient is participation. For every young Nigerian who has ever wanted to work in AI, build with data, secure systems, design products, or develop software — and who has been held back by cost, access, or uncertainty about where to start — these programmes are the answer. They are free. They are structured. The mentors are real. The opportunities are live.

The portals are open. The future is being built now.

Visit 3mtt.nitda.gov.ng for DeepTech_Ready and nextgen.3mttnigeria.com for the Airtel x 3MTT NextGen Fellowship 2026.

Sources:

  1. 3MTT Official Website — https://3mtt.nitda.gov.ng
  2. 3MTT DeepTech_Ready Programme Page — https://3mtt.nitda.gov.ng/deeptech/
  3. NextGen Fellowship Official Portal — https://nextgen.3mttnigeria.com
  4. Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (DeepTech_Ready Launch) — https://fmcide.gov.ng/3mtt-and-data-science-nigeria-launch-first-cohort-of-deeptech_ready-upskilling-programme-supported-by-google-org/
  5. Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (Microsoft Partnership) — https://fmcide.gov.ng/3mtt-nigeria-and-microsoft-deepen-alliance-to-build-nigerias-future-tech-workforce/
  6. Federal Ministry of Youth Development (Airtel x 3MTT NextGen) — https://yid.fmyd.gov.ng/airtel-x-3mtt-nextgen-fellowship-2026/
  7. Legit.ng (NITDA Opens NextGen Applications) — https://www.legit.ng/business-economy/technology/1702419-nitda-opens-application-airtel-3mtt-nextgen-2026-programme-invites-nigerians/
  8. Connect Nigeria (NextGen Fellowship Programme 2026) — https://articles.connectnigeria.com/airtel-3mtt-nextgen-fellowship-program-2026/
  9. Crisp NG (Complete Application Guide) — https://crispng.com/airtel-3mtt-nextgen-fellowship-program-2026-nigeria-how-to-apply/
  10. Opportunity Desk (Airtel x 3MTT NextGen 2026) — https://opportunitydesk.org/2025/11/17/airtel-x-3mtt-nextgen-fellowship-2026/
  11. Scholars World (Airtel 3MTT NextGen Application Guide) — https://scholarsworld.ng/airtel-3mtt-nextgen-fellowship-program/
  12. Dixcover Hub (NextGen Fellowship 2026) — https://jobs.smartyacad.com/2026-airtel-3mtt-nextgen-fellowship-program/
  13. Success Tonics Blog (NextGen Fellowship Application Guide) — https://www.successtonicsblog.com/2026/03/apply-now-airtel-3mtt-nextgen-fellowship-program-2026-application-guide
  14. Success Tonics Blog (DeepTech Ready Upskilling Programme) — https://www.successtonicsblog.com/2026/02/federal-government-3mtt-deeptech-ready-upskilling-programme-2026-for-nigerians23186
  15. iCan Student (₦100M Grant Guide with NiYA Connection) — https://www.icanstudent.com/apply-now-federal-government-niya-100-million-naira-grant/
  16. TechNext24 (610 Nigerians Win National Impact Challenge Prizes) — https://technext24.com/2026/04/28/over-600-nigerians-benefit-from-3mtt/
  17. TechNext24 (3MTT Secures €11 Million EU and Denmark Funding) — https://technext24.com/2026/03/27/3mtt-secures-11-million-euros-funding/
  18. Nairametrics (Bosun Tijani on Digital Infrastructure 2027) — https://nairametrics.com/2026/02/12/digital-infrastructure-to-come-alive-in-nigeria-by-2027-bosun-tijani/
  19. Insights Nigeria (How Nigerians Can Access 3MTT Free Tech Skills) — https://insightsng.com/3mtt-how-nigerians-can-gain-free-tech-skills-through-the-3-million-technical-talent-program/
  20. MEXC News (National Impact Challenge Report) — https://www.mexc.co/news/1059806