A young Ilorin girl’s experience with 3MTT
By Zainab Abdullahi
As I reflect on my journey through the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Data Analysis and Visualization course, I am reminded of the countless obstacles that threatened to derail my progress.
Yet, with determination and perseverance, I not only overcame those challenges but also emerged stronger and more. This program has opened me to the world of Tech.
The 3MTT program in Nigeria is an ambitious initiative aimed at training 3 million technical professionals within the next four years.
The program was a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs, twists and turns, but I refused to let those moments define me. Instead, I drew strength from my parents, my peers, instructors, and my own inner resilience.
Through sheer hard work and dedication, I began to master the skills and concepts that once seemed daunting. The sense of accomplishment I felt with each small victory fueled my motivation to push forward. And then, the unthinkable happened – we were awarded laptops from Kwara State government for our hard work and dedication!
As I hold this laptop, I am reminded of the power of persistence and the importance of community.
The 3MTT program taught me that obstacles are not roadblocks but opportunities for growth. I learned to embrace challenges, to seek help when needed, and to celebrate my achievements.
This laptop is more than just a device; it symbolizes my journey, my struggles, and my triumphs. It represents the countless hours of effort, the late nights, and the early mornings. It reminds me that with the right mindset and support, I can overcome anything that comes my way.
As I move forward, I carry the lessons of the 3MTT program with me. I know that obstacles will arise, but I am ready. I am equipped with the skills, the knowledge, and the resilience to overcome them. And I am grateful for the laptop, a constant reminder of my capacity to succeed.
Appreciation goes to the Federal Government of Nigeria, Kwara State government, my training provider – Cypherdevs – and my parents, especially my Dad, who supported me physically, financially and motivated me to go extra mile.
I say I’m proud to be a fellow of the 3MTT in data analysis and visualization.
About 3MTT
Spearheaded by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, this project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s objective to create a million tech jobs within his first two years in office. With about 60% of Nigeria’s population being young, the country has the potential to become a significant exporter of tech talent worldwide.
The training program, which adopts a 1-10-100 strategy, initially tested a prototype with 1% of its target number (30,000 individuals) over three months. The overwhelming response saw nearly 2 million applications for the first cohort in just under a month. In its second phase, starting in February 2023, the program trained another 30,000 individuals.
The program covers twelve critical technical areas including software development, UI/UX design, data analysis & visualization, quality assurance, product management, data science, animation, AI/machine learning, cybersecurity, game development, cloud computing, and DevOps.
To ensure practical application of knowledge and optimal outcomes, the program combines online content with practical community-based learning clusters. It also facilitates job placements for its participants.
The Nigerian government is working with the private sector on this initiative. IHS Towers has provided ₦1 billion ($1.25 million) funding for the salaries of community managers nationally for the next three years.
This project is part of Nigeria’s efforts to position itself as a digital and technical talent leader and significantly grow its digital economy.
