The 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Program, run through the official portal at 3mtt.nitda.gov.ng, is the Federal Government’s flagship tech skills initiative under the Renewed Hope agenda. It runs in phases rather than a single one-time intake, and 2026 has specifically brought a new advanced track the 3MTT DeepTech Ready Upskilling Program alongside the base fellowship for new entrants. This guide covers how the program is structured, who’s eligible, and exactly how to register.

About 3MTT

Launched by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy under Minister Dr. Bosun Tijani, in direct collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), 3MTT is designed to build Nigeria’s technical talent backbone, power the digital economy, and position Nigeria as a net exporter of tech talent globally. It’s part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s stated vision of creating 2 million digital jobs.

The scale of ambition here is genuinely significant training 3 million Nigerians in technical skills would represent one of the largest state-led digital skills initiatives on the continent. Understanding that this is a multi-year, multi-phase program rather than a single event helps set realistic expectations: if you miss one cohort’s registration window, further phases and tracks continue to open over time.

How the Program Has Rolled Out

• Phase 1 launched in December 2023, training 30,000 fellows across all 36 states and the FCT representing 1% of the overall 3 million target, following the Ministry’s stated “1%-10%-100%” approach: Prototyping, Piloting, then Scaling.
• Phase 1 combined self-paced online courses with physical applied learning sessions, delivered in partnership with over 120 training organisations.
• Phase 2 has been structured to train 270,000 additional technical talents across three cohorts of 60,000, 90,000, and 120,000 respectively.
• 2026 has brought the DeepTech Ready Upskilling Program, a more advanced learning track for candidates ready to build on foundational skills already developed distinct from the base entry-level fellowship.

The 12 Core Technical Skill Areas

The first phase focused on twelve in-demand technical skills, several of which use technology to enhance existing roles rather than requiring you to become a software developer specifically the program has been designed to be genuinely accessible to people from non-technical backgrounds who want to build digital competency relevant to their existing field. This breadth is worth understanding before assuming 3MTT is exclusively a coding bootcamp; it covers a wider range of digital skill areas than that framing suggests.

Two Categories You Can Apply Under

Fellows

Individuals who receive training in a specific technical skill area, gaining competitiveness in both the local and international technical talent marketplace.

Training Providers

Organisations across Nigeria that want to join the pool of accredited training providers delivering the program’s curriculum to fellows, helping design and deliver the training and placement approach at scale.

Eligibility Requirements

• Nigerian citizenship.
• A genuine interest in developing skills within one of the program’s designated technical or non-technical-but-tech-enabled areas.
• Access to a device and internet connectivity sufficient for self-paced online learning, alongside willingness to attend physical applied learning sessions where required.
• The fellowship has been described as open to everyone, without a narrow, restrictive academic prerequisite you don’t need a computer science degree to apply.

How to Apply

1. Visit the official portal directly at 3mtt.nitda.gov.ng don’t use a third-party link claiming to be the official registration form.

2. Choose whether you’re applying as a Fellow (individual seeking training) or as a Training Provider (organisation wanting to deliver training).

3. Complete your registration with accurate personal or organisational details.

4. Select your preferred technical skill track based on your interests and career goals.

5. Watch the portal directly for confirmation of your registration and any further selection stages, since the program runs in structured phases rather than instant enrolment.

What Fellows Receive

• NITDA funds the full cost of training through accepted training providers a genuinely fully paid scholarship, removing cost as a barrier to participation.
• Direct connection with industry experts and structured job placement support after training.
• Laptops, routers, and data subscriptions have been provided to support learning, with additional prizes for knowledge showcase winners.
• 3MTT graduates are positioned for internships, full-time tech roles, and freelance micro-jobs, with fellows spread across all 36 states and the FCT, including candidates fluent in multiple indigenous Nigerian languages.

No Payment Required

3MTT’s training costs are funded directly by NITDA through the program fellows are not expected to pay for their training. Do not pay any individual or agency claiming they can guarantee your selection or expedite your registration; treat any such request as fraudulent, and register only through 3mtt.nitda.gov.ng, regardless of how convincing an alternative claim might sound.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 3MTT registration currently open?

The program runs in phases rather than one continuous open window check 3mtt.nitda.gov.ng directly for whichever specific cohort or track, including the 2026 DeepTech Ready Upskilling Program, is currently accepting applications.

Do I need a tech background to apply?

No. The fellowship has been described as open to everyone, including candidates from non-technical backgrounds who want to build digital skills relevant to their existing field.

Is 3MTT free?

Yes. NITDA funds the cost of training directly, making it a fully paid scholarship for accepted fellows.

What’s the DeepTech Ready Upskilling Program?

A more advanced 2026 track for candidates ready to build on foundational technical skills, distinct from the base entry-level fellowship program.

Can organisations apply to deliver training?

Yes. Training Providers can register to join the program’s pool of accredited organisations delivering the curriculum to fellows.

What happens after I complete training?

Graduates are positioned for internships, full-time tech roles, and freelance micro-jobs, with structured job placement support connecting fellows to potential employers, particularly in tech-enabled sectors looking to hire from the 3MTT talent pool.