FG opens N4bn 3MTT funding applications as Cohort 5 deadline nears

The Federal Government has opened applications for organisations and individual experts seeking to join the Delivery Network of its 3 Million Technical Talent programme, with about N4 billion in funding tied to Cohorts 5 and 6. The money will support skills development and verified employment outcomes, not automatic cash grants for every applicant.

The funding is part of a push to equip Nigerians with in-demand digital skills and create pathways to employment, entrepreneurship and economic opportunities. The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy said successful applicants will enter the 3MTT Delivery Network as either Enabled Delivery Partners or Funded Delivery Partners. All applicants will undergo a membership review to determine eligibility and suitability. Enabled partners will take part in the wider delivery ecosystem. Funded partners may qualify for financial support linked to verified outcomes. Admission into the network does not guarantee funding.

Who is funding Cohort 5

Cohort 5 funding is supported by the European Union and Denmark through GIZ Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria, HAUS and ESTDEV. Additional support comes from the MacArthur Foundation through Blue Sapphire Hub. Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani said the initiative is “another major step towards developing a competitive digital workforce.” He said hitting the three million talent target requires a sustainable network linking training providers, employers and communities. The government is shifting focus to practical results rather than simply raising enrolment numbers, he added. He maintained that supporting verified demand and measurable outcomes would strengthen the link between technical skills, employment and economic opportunities.

Massimo De Luca, the European Union’s Head of Cooperation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to helping Nigeria turn its youthful population into a productive economic force. He said the partnership would support job creation by connecting skilled Nigerians with employment opportunities.

3MTT numbers so far

The programme has attracted more than 1.8 million registrations since it launched in 2023. Government figures show that about 179,000 fellows have received training across four cohorts and the DeepTech programme. More than 300,000 Nigerians have also benefited from the initiative’s wider community resources and opportunities. The programme currently works with over 200 partner organisations across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Interested organisations and individual experts are expected to apply through official 3MTT channels and undergo the required membership review. The ministry also invited employers, technology companies, research institutions, funders and state governments to join the broader Partner Network. A separate Talent Registry push, run with Skill Ladders and NITDA, is expected to provide access to more than 3,000 tech job opportunities across different digital skill levels, with monthly salaries starting from ₦150,000.

Deadline and what it means

Cohort 5 funding applications close on Monday, November 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. West Africa Time. General Delivery Network membership applications will remain open, with reviews conducted quarterly. The N4 billion allocation is meant to support verified programme outcomes and should not be mistaken for a direct cash grant available to every individual applicant.

For Nigerian businesses and training providers, the key test is delivery. The programme is tying funding to verified employment and economic outcomes, which could favour operators with employer links and measurable results. For the naira and consumers, the immediate effect depends on how quickly those outcomes translate into paid jobs and stronger digital skills across the country.