As part of its flagship program aimed at training and placing three million Nigerian tech talents over the next several years, 3MTT (Three Million Technical Talent) hosted its first community meet-up event in Akwa Ibom State. The event, which took place last week, brought together tech enthusiasts, professionals, and stakeholders from across the region to foster learning, collaboration, and inspiration within the local tech community.
The Federal Government’s 3MTT program is a groundbreaking initiative designed to build Nigeria’s technical workforce, driving the nation’s digital economy and positioning it as a net exporter of tech talent. With the goal of equipping 3 million Nigerians with technical skills and connecting them with both local and international job opportunities.
The 3MTT State Meet-up was a hive of activity, offering a variety of learning experiences. Tech Industry heavyweights and experts delivered keynote speeches. Fellows from the 12 learning tracks, encompassing fields like Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Software Development, UI/UX Design, Data Science, Data Analysis & Visualization, Product Management, Quality Assurance, Game Development, DevOps, and Animation, came together in buzzing breakout sessions. Here, they shared knowledge, collaborated on exciting prospective projects, and explored innovative ideas.
Fireside chats provided a more intimate setting for attendees to engage with tech masters/mentors in insightful discussions.
Networking opportunities throughout the day allowed everyone to forge valuable connections with peers and potential collaborators. Ultimately, the diverse program ensured attendees gained valuable insights from industry experts and thought leaders on a wide range of tech-related topics.
Speaking on the event, the Community Manager, 3MTT Akwa Ibom State, Victoria Ndu noted: “We are thrilled to have hosted such a successful event here in Akwa Ibom, powering technical talents in the state. The turnout exceeded our expectations, with over 350 fellows in attendance, representing a wide range of backgrounds and skill levels. It’s clear that there is a strong appetite for tech education and collaboration in this region, and we are committed to supporting the growth and development of the local tech ecosystem.”
The lineup of speakers featured prominent figures in the Nigerian tech community, including:
Senior Software Engineer at Receeve GmbH, Germany, David Inyang-Etoh, who spoke on ‘Hacking Growth for the Future of Work’; Co-Founder/CEO of The RootHub, Tony Onuk, who explored ‘Open Source and Innovation: The Power of Collaboration and Community-Driven Development in Technology’.
Others were CEO of Sheedx Africa and Chief Technology Officer at Everest Online Academy, Enoabasi Emah, who discussed ‘Opportunities in the Tech Industry and How to Leverage Them’; Co- Founder of The RootHub, Francis Onuk who shared on ‘Product Development & Design Thinking: Innovative approaches to building successful tech products’.
Appreciating the collaborative efforts of the team, Ndu said: “We are immensely grateful to the tireless efforts of the 3MTT Akwa Ibom team, Enobong Peters (Admin), Adeola David (Programs Lead), Usoro Peters (Outreach & Partnership Lead), Victoria Ajiboye (Communications & Media), and Aniekan Edet (Partnership & Outreach).” She also extended gratitude to volunteers, speakers, sponsors (Wedigraf and SiSa), and attendees for their contributions. “We all played vital roles and ensured we had a successful event. We are excited about the momentum we’ve built and look forward to continuing to support the growth and development of Nigeria’s tech talent pool.
We are grateful to the President, Honorable Minister Bosun Tijani, NITDA, the 3MTT central team and IHS for powering this initiative.”