Victoria Adefila, a stay-at-home mother, has shared her inspiring journey of career resurgence through the Nigerian government-backed 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme. Launched in 2023 by the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, the four-year initiative aims to train three million Nigerians in various technical skills, including software development, data science, cybersecurity, and more.
In a heartfelt LinkedIn post, Adefila recounted how the program reignited her passion for technology and helped her overcome personal and professional setbacks. Despite holding a degree in Computer Engineering, Adefila had drifted from her career aspirations after struggling to manage her beauty business during pregnancy complications. Following the birth of her child, she battled postpartum depression, leaving her disconnected from both her career and the tech industry.
Encouraged by her husband, a product manager, Adefila enrolled in the 3MTT programme’s second cohort, seeing it as an opportunity to reclaim her career. “From the moment it started, I knew this was my chance to rebuild,” she shared. Immersing herself in the program, Adefila learned design thinking, wireframing, and real-world problem-solving—skills that helped her rebuild her confidence and career trajectory.
The 3MTT programme has garnered significant interest, with over 1.7 million applications from across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas. The initiative aims to fill the talent gap within Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, a critical step toward building a vibrant digital economy.
Speaking at a recent tech conference in Lagos, Minister Tijani highlighted the program’s strategic “1-10-100 model” to gradually train the target population. “If Nigeria can train 300,000 technical talents, we can become the most competitive country on the continent when it comes to technical talent,” he stated.
For Adefila, the program has been transformative, giving her the tools to reconnect with her passion for technology. Now, she hopes to inspire others in her community to pursue their dreams, no matter the challenges they face.
As Nigeria moves forward with its digital development plans, stories like Adefila’s shine as examples of the profound impact of targeted training initiatives on the nation’s workforce and economy.