Who this is for: Training organisations, tech hubs, bootcamps and edtech companies registered and operating in Nigeria that train people in digital or technical skills and connect them to jobs, freelance work or business. Individual experts and organisations abroad can join the network as Enabled Partners, without funding.
The Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme of Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has opened applications for its Delivery Network, with about ₦4 billion available for verified outcomes in Cohort 5. Minister Bosun Tijani announced the call on 11 November 2026. The funding comes from the European Union and the Government of Denmark (through GIZ, HAUS and ESTDEV), with a grant from the MacArthur Foundation.
Deadline for funding applications: 30 November 2026, 11:59 pm WAT. Applying is free.
At a Glance
| Organiser | 3MTT, Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy |
| Funding | About ₦4 billion for Cohort 5, paid per successful Fellow |
| Funders | European Union and Denmark (via GIZ, HAUS and ESTDEV), MacArthur Foundation |
| Who can apply for funding | Training organisations registered and operating in Nigeria, alone or leading a consortium |
| Free membership | Enabled Partners: organisations and individual experts, in Nigeria or abroad |
| Training starts | 20 January 2027 |
| Deadline | 30 November 2026, 11:59 pm WAT |
Two Ways to Join
- Funded Delivery Partner: for organisations that train people for jobs, freelance work or business. You agree a rate per successful Fellow with 3MTT and get paid as each Fellow reaches four results. You help select your Fellows from a 3MTT shortlist, and you can apply alone or lead a consortium.
- Enabled Delivery Partner: for organisations and individual experts, in Nigeria or abroad, with or without a physical training space. You get national recognition, a say in national training standards, the 3MTT Talent Operating System, the National Talent Registry, access to 1.8 million registered Nigerians, learning licences and credits, and access to device financing, subject to eligibility. There’s no funding, but membership applications are reviewed every quarter.
How the Money Works: Four Results
Payment depends on verified results, not training completion. For each Fellow, you’re paid in stages when 3MTT verifies:
- Learning commenced: identity verified, active participation confirmed and a baseline assessment completed.
- Verified skills: the Fellow passes the agreed end-of-training assessment.
- Secured opportunity: the Fellow gets a job, internship, freelance work or their own business that uses the skills and earns above the national minimum wage.
- Sustained opportunity: the Fellow is still employed or earning six months later.
Eligibility
To apply for funding, you should be able to say yes to these (from 3MTT’s own readiness check and FAQs):
- Your organisation is registered with the CAC and operating in Nigeria (for a consortium, the lead must be a training organisation registered and operating in Nigeria).
- You train people in digital or technical skills.
- You’ve delivered a training programme in the last 24 months, with evidence of results such as cohort records or employer confirmations.
- You can register learners on the 3MTT platform and report on their outcomes.
- You have employer partnerships or clear pathways to earning opportunities.
- You can train at least 100 Fellows within six months.
- You can share details of founders or directors for verification.
Consortium members can include employers and other training organisations in Nigeria or abroad. You don’t need to upload all documents up front; 3MTT will ask for evidence during review and verification. If you’re not selected for funding but meet the membership requirements, you can join as an Enabled Partner without reapplying.
Don’t train people? Employers, funders, technology and certification companies, universities, state agencies and media can register interest in the wider 3MTT Partner Network on the same portal.
Key Dates
- 10–20 November: online information and guidance sessions.
- From 16 November: interviews and verification, on a rolling basis.
- 17 November: Delivery Network launch event.
- 18–21 November: in-person information sessions.
- 30 November: funding applications close.
- 9 December: selected partners announced; contracting begins 10 December.
- 4 January 2027: Fellow matching and screening.
- 20 January 2027: training begins.
How to Apply
- Go to the official 3MTT Delivery Network portal and click Apply now.
- Register with your email and choose Funded or Enabled partnership.
- Describe your organisation, track record, training offer, and the jobs, freelance or business opportunities it leads to. Name the evidence you can share.
- Submit before 11:59 pm WAT on 30 November. Shortlisted applicants go through an interview, benchmarking of the rate per Fellow, and a verification check that may include a site visit.
Beware of scams: applying and joining are free. No one can sell you a place in the network. Report any request for payment to [email protected].
Tips
- Lead with job outcomes. Funding follows Fellows who get and keep paid work, so show placement rates and employer partners.
- Price realistically. You’ll agree a rate per successful Fellow within a regional benchmark; know your cost per learner and dropout rate.
- Consider a consortium. Pairing a trainer with employers who commit to hiring makes results 3 and 4 more credible.
- Attend an information session (10–21 November) before you submit.
Related Opportunities
- 3MTT DeepTech: Ready to Start Your DeepTech Journey?
- SMEDAN and Zoho Digital Credits for Nigerian MSMEs 2026
- USPF Changemaker Challenge 2026: ₦10 Million for ICT Innovators
- 20 Funding Opportunities for Startup Founders Open Now
Run an organisation? Set it up on the OpportunityLab Portal to see every grant it can apply for.
