Airtel Nigeria, in partnership with the Federal Government, is set to train 25,000 Nigerians in digital and technological skills over the next two weeks. This initiative is part of the 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) programme, which aims to rapidly expand the country’s tech talent pool and empower young people for the digital economy.
The announcement was made by Femi Adeniran, Airtel Nigeria’s Director of Corporate Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility, during a roundtable session with Dinesh Balsingh, the company’s Managing Director and CEO, in Ikeja. The training will be conducted in over 80 local government areas and will focus on high-demand skills such as digital marketing, data analysis, project management, and UI/UX design.
“Airtel believes in the power of technology and digital skills to unlock new opportunities, drive economic growth, and uplift communities,” Adeniran said. “This programme is a a bold step towards ensuring Nigerian youths are active participants in the digital revolution.”
In a separate but related development, Airtel Africa is investing $120 million to build a new, state-of-the-art data centre in Nigeria. Scheduled to launch next year in Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, this facility is a major step in bolstering Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.
According to Mr. Balsingh, a local data centre is crucial for a faster, more reliable internet experience. By hosting data within Nigeria, the facility will lead to lower latency and faster speeds for consumers.
The new data centre is also expected to address concerns about data sovereignty, ensuring that sensitive national data remains within the country’s borders. Both Airtel customers and the broader public are set to benefit from the improved internet speed and a more stable network.
These dual initiatives, mass digital skills training and significant infrastructure investment, signal a strategic push by Airtel and the Nigerian government to accelerate the country’s digital transformation, create new economic opportunities, and solidify Nigeria’s position as a competitive tech hub in Africa.
