Free Tech Skills in Nigeria: 3MTT and Airtel NextGen

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Early this year 2026, Nigeria government-backed list called the 3MTT Talent Registry offered 3,000 tech jobs paying at least ₦150,000 a month. The applications closed around mid May. Will you be ready next time?

Quick answer: 3MTT is the Federal Government’s programme to train about 3 million Nigerians in tech skills. The Airtel 3MTT NextGen Fellowship 2026 teaches about software development, data, cybersecurity, web design, graphic design, cloud, product management and machine learning. You can check the official portals for the current intake before you apply.

What is 3MTT?

3MTT stands for 3 Million Technical Talent. The official 3MTT website says it is part of the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to build Nigeria’s tech talent. It started in a little small steps. The first cohort had 30,000 fellows, and the second had 270,000, according to reports from 2024 under his regime as the leader. In November 2024, 90,000 more fellows joined the third cohort, as Techeconomy reported.

The programme was designed to cover twelve skills at first, including software development, UI/UX design, data analysis, product management, cybersecurity, cloud computing and more.

The 3,000 jobs story

Legit.ng reported that the 3MTT Talent Registry, done with Skill Ladders and NITDA, was for Nigerians with tech skills who want jobs. The pay started at ₦150,000 a month, and the deadline was 14 May 2026. It is closed now. But it shows one thing clearly: when the next list opens, people with skills and proof of work will be ahead.

The Airtel–3MTT NextGen Fellowship

In March 2026, NITDA and Airtel opened the Airtel–3MTT NextGen Fellowship. Airtel committed ₦1 billion to it. The tracks include:

• Software development
• Data science and analytics
• Cybersecurity
• UI/UX design
• Cloud computing
• Product management
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Fellows work on real projects, get a mentors, and take part in national competitions. They can also get help to find externships and jobs, plus certificates and digital badges when they finish. Applications are done only at nextgen.3mttnigeria.com. When the story was published, no deadline had been announced. We could not confirm if it is still open till now, so check the portal yourself.

Start today, even before you are selected

Do not wait for a programme to pick you. Here is a simple 90-day plan.

1. Days 1 to 7: pick one skill. Do not try to learn three or five to avoid confusing yourself. Choose one: for example web design or  data analysis with Excel, or graphic design.
2. Days 8 to 45: learn every day. One hour a day is enough. Use free courses on YouTube or free sites like freeCodeCamp for coding. Take short notes.
3. Days 46 to 75: build three small projects. For a designer, three posters. For a coder, three small websites. For a data learner, three simple reports.
4. Days 76 to 90: show your work. Put your projects on a free page, LinkedIn or GitHub. Write a short CV.

Every project is proof. It is better than saying “I know a little Excel.”

What if I have no laptop?

Many people start with a phone. You can learn design, writing, social media and basic data on a phone. For coding, borrow a laptop or use a cybercafé or a school lab for a few hours a week to grab the basics. When you get your first small payment, save for a used laptop which you can get a very cheap and clean at OyaCity.com.

Beware of fake programmes

• 3MTT does not ask you to pay a stranger to “register” you.
• Use only the official websites linked above.
• Be careful with WhatsApp groups that sell “guaranteed slots”.
• If a programme promises a job in 30 days, walk away.

Project ideas for beginners

A project shows what you can do. Here are simple ideas for each skill.

• Web design: A one-page website for a local business, like a salon or a food seller.
• Data analysis: A simple report on your school’s results, or on your monthly spending. Show it with a chart.
• Graphic design: Three flyers for an event, a church programme or a small shop.
• Writing: Five short articles on a topic you know well.
• UI/UX design: Redesign the screens of an app that you find hard to use.
• Cybersecurity basics: A short guide for your friends on how to keep social media accounts safe.

How to show your skills to employers

1. Put your projects in one place. A free page, GitHub for code, or a simple folder link.
2. Write one paragraph per project. Say the problem, what you did and the result.
3. Keep your CV short. One page is enough at the start.
4. Be ready to explain. In an interview, say how you did your project and what you learned.
5. Keep learning. Add one new project every month.

Frequently asked questions

Is 3MTT free?

The programme is described as a government-backed fellowship, and we saw no registration fee in the reports. Confirm on the official site before you give anyone money.

Do I need a degree?

Each intake has its own rules. Read the page for the one you want to join.

Which skill is best?

The best skill is the one you will practise every day for 90 days. Pick one that you enjoy.

How long does it take to learn a skill?

You can learn the basics in less than three months of about 3hours daily practice. Getting good takes longer, and projects speed it up.

Can school students learn these skills?

Yes. Many skills can be learned from home. But for programmes like 3MTT, read each intake’s rules for age and other conditions.

Read more in our online skills guides. Graduates should also read our post on NYSC changes.