The Federal Government has opened applications for the fifth cohort of the 3 Million Technical Talent programme’s Delivery Network, with about N4bn available for organisations that can train Nigerians and connect them to economic opportunities.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, in a statement posted on his X handle on Wednesday. The programme is part of the Federal Government’s drive to build a strong pool of technical talent for Nigeria’s growing digital economy.

Tijani said the funding is provided by the European Union and Denmark through GIZ, HAUS and ESTDEV, alongside a grant from the MacArthur Foundation. The money will support verified outcomes under Cohort 5, meaning that funding will be tied to measurable results achieved by the partners.

He said the initiative reflects the commitment of both the Federal Government and its partners to invest in skills that can translate into real jobs and economic opportunities for Nigerians.

Under the programme, organisations that can provide verified opportunities for programme participants, known as Fellows, or establish clear pathways to such opportunities can apply as Funded Delivery Partners.

These organisations can apply either individually or as a consortium. Funded Partners will receive financing based on agreed rates for successful Fellows and verified outcomes. The model is designed to reward performance and to ensure that public and partner funds deliver tangible impact.

The programme also provides an opportunity for organisations and individual experts who can train people, with or without a physical space, to join as Enabled Delivery Partners. Enabled Delivery Partners will contribute to developing shared national training standards and credentials. This pathway opens the door for a wider range of trainers, including those who operate online or in community settings, to participate in building Nigeria’s technical talent pipeline.

According to the programme’s guidelines, organisations and experts in Nigeria or abroad that provide digital or technical skills training can apply to join the network. However, an organisation leading a funding application must be registered and operating in Nigeria. This requirement is meant to ensure local accountability and to strengthen the capacity of Nigerian organisations to deliver training at scale. Interested applicants are expected to apply through the programme’s official application portal.

Applications opened on November 11, 2026, while funding applications for Cohort 5 will close on November 30 at 11:59 pm West Africa Time. The tight window means interested organisations are advised to prepare their documents early and to submit before the deadline.

The programme team has urged applicants to ensure that their proposals clearly show how they will train Fellows and connect them to verified opportunities.

The 3MTT programme is one of the flagship initiatives of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, aimed at developing three million highly skilled technology professionals.

With the opening of Cohort 5 funding, stakeholders say the Delivery Network is expected to expand training capacity and deepen collaboration between government, development partners and private trainers. For many young Nigerians, the hope is that the initiative will open more doors to skills, jobs and a better future.