The Federal Government has opened applications for the fifth cohort of the 3 Million Technical Talent programme's Delivery Network, with about N4 billion available to organisations that can train Nigerians and connect them to economic opportunities. The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, announced the move on Wednesday. The funding comes from the European Union and Denmark through GIZ, HAUS and ESTDEV, alongside a grant from the MacArthur Foundation, and will support verified outcomes under Cohort 5.
The Delivery Network operates through two partnership pathways. Enabled Partners receive national recognition, access to shared training standards and digital infrastructure, and opportunities to publish courses to the 3MTT platform's registered users. Funded Partners receive financing based on agreed rates for successful participants, known as Fellows, and verified outcomes rather than training completion alone. Organisations that can provide verified employment opportunities or establish clear pathways to such opportunities can apply as Funded Delivery Partners, either individually or as a consortium. Organisations and individual experts who can train people, with or without a physical space, can join as Enabled Delivery Partners.
Payments to Funded Partners are determined by four outcomes: the commencement of learning, acquisition of verified skills, securing an economic opportunity and sustaining that opportunity for six months. An economic opportunity may include a job, internship, freelance engagement or a Fellow's own business that uses the acquired skills and earns above the national minimum wage. Organisations and experts in Nigeria or abroad that provide digital or technical skills training can apply to join the network, though an organisation leading a funding application must be registered and operating in Nigeria.
Applicants must submit information about their organisations, training programmes, delivery methods and the support they require through https://delivery.3mtt.gov.ng/#choose-partnership. Applications will be assessed based on registration status, teaching experience and training records, among other criteria. Applications opened on November 11, 2026, while funding applications for Cohort 5 will close on November 30 at 11:59 pm West Africa Time. Dr Tijani said the initiative was part of the Federal Government's efforts to develop the skilled workforce required to support President Bola Tinubu's ambition of building a one trillion dollar economy.