The Government of Finland has announced plans to lead a €23 million Team Europe Initiative designed to strengthen Nigeria’s digital public services and support the implementation of the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme.

The initiative, funded by the European Union, will be implemented by Finland’s development and training agency, HAUS, in collaboration with Estonia’s development agency, ESTDEV. This was disclosed by the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Sanna Selin, in a statement issued on Monday through the Embassy’s spokesperson, Maria Ruuskanen.

According to the statement, the programme is part of the EU–Nigeria Digital Economy Package under the Global Gateway strategy, which focuses on enhancing digital governance, improving service delivery, and building technical capacity across public institutions.

The project, titled Support to Digital Public Services and Talent Management, is aimed at expanding access to secure, interoperable, and citizen-focused digital services, while also strengthening institutional frameworks and governance systems within Nigeria’s public sector.

It further noted that the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (2020–2030) as well as the priorities of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

Finland’s HAUS will spearhead implementation alongside ESTDEV, combining European expertise in digital governance and public-sector innovation to support Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.

The Embassy of Finland in Abuja stated that the initiative will also contribute to the rollout of the 3MTT programme, a government-led effort aimed at building a large pool of technical talent nationwide.

Selin said the collaboration reflects Finland’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital development, citing the country’s experience in secure digital governance, interoperability, and citizen-centered public services.

She added that the partnership is expected to enhance cybersecurity, improve data protection practices, and strengthen institutional capacity, while promoting inclusive access to digital services for both citizens and businesses.

According to her, the initiative is also expected to improve public service delivery, increase trust in government institutions, and create new economic opportunities, while fostering a more transparent and innovation-driven digital ecosystem.