Abuja, Nov. 20, 2024 – President Bola Tinubu has identified the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) project as one of the creative youth development programmes of his administration.
Tinubu made this description in Abuja on Tuesday in an address at a Stakeholders Roundtable on Northern Youth Development organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation.
He was represented by the Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The 3MTT programme is a project of the Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy designed to build a talent backbone to power Nigeria’s digital economy and position the country as a net talent exporter.
The president also described Nigeria’s digital economy as “another goldmine” of the country.
He listed some other creative youth development programmes to include the Presidential Initiative for Youth Enterprise Clusters, the Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA), the Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA) and the National Youth Talent Export Programme (NATEP).
The president said the youths were not just the future of the country, but “you are its present”.
“Your energy, ideas, and determination are already shaping our policies and programmes. Our commitment is to provide you with the skill set and opportunities to thrive in a competitive world,” he said.
Tinubu said his administration was determined to unlock the potential of the Nigerian youth and ensure that their dreams transform Nigeria into an enduring symbol of democracy, development, and progress.
Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, a former Governor of Niger State and Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, also described the youths as “not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the driving force of our present and our future.”
“It is imperative that we approach these discussions with open minds and a collaborative spirit, recognizing that the solutions we seek will require collective effort,” Aliyu added.
His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, highlighted the critical role of youth education in national development.
“Our youths are the foundation of any development we envisage in our society. They are not just leaders of tomorrow but leaders of today.” (GBN)
