The European Union has commended Nigeria’s growing focus on structured skills development programmes and described initiatives such as the Jubilee Fellowship Programme and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) scheme as strong models for future workforce development.
Speaking at the National Skills and Industry Alignment Roundtable in Abuja, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Massimo De Luca, said the bloc was encouraged by ongoing collaboration with the Federal Government, particularly in the digital skills space.
He pointed to the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme as a practical example of how training can be aligned with industry needs. The initiative, driven by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, aims to equip three million Nigerians with digital and technical skills to support job creation and position the country for a knowledge-driven economy.
De Luca said the programme stands out because it is built around an ecosystem of digital companies that help define relevant skills while also supporting training delivery.
“We are very happy with the work we are conducting on the three million technological talents initiative. It is grounded in the ecosystem of digital companies that define the skills required and produce both competence and trust,” he said.
He described the approach as a strong blueprint and noted that it attracts investors from multiple sources and encourages broader partnerships.
Programme Director of 3MTT, Francis Sani, said the initiative has recorded strong interest, with over one million applications received within weeks of launch, although only about 30,000 participants were admitted in the pilot phase.
He explained that the phased approach has allowed partners to improve quality and adapt learning based on feedback while also building local support systems through partner networks across the country.
The EU also acknowledged the impact of the Jubilee Fellowship Programme, which provides skills development and work placement opportunities for young Nigerians on the premise that such initiatives demonstrate how coordinated efforts can bridge the gap between training and employment.
Earlier, the Vice President, Kashim Shettima represented by Deputy Chief of Staff, Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia admitted that the Federal Government is focused on ensuring that the skills demanded by private sector employers must become the central organising principle of Nigeria’s workforce development architecture.
On getting more commitment from the private sector, Strategic Partnership Lead at the Office of the Vice President Delivery Unit, Afolabi Imoukhuede said the focus is now on demonstrating clear value in existing programmes to attract sustained investment.
According to him, once initiatives show measurable outcomes, development partners and private sector players are more likely to commit funding.
“The critical thing is to show proof of concept and value. Once that is established, partners will be willing to put their money on the table,” he said.
He added that while funding support from the European Union is secured until 2027, there is an urgent need to galvanise more domestic private sector investment to ensure long-term sustainability.
On the significance of the National Skills and Industry Alignment Roundtable in Abuja, Senior Special Assistant, Office of the Vice President-Delivery Unit, Akubo Adegbe noted that the roundtable conversation was intended to ensure all round inclusion for all stakeholders.
“This roundtable is beyond talk, it’s a collaboration platform to make sure that we implement something tangible to address the gaps, the skills gap,” he said.
He also reiterated the earlier note by the that the platform would drive policy shifts and help identify priority skills that could reshape job creation strategies.
