MTN Foundation Programme Equips Graduates With Digital Skills For Employment

The MTN Foundation is helping young Nigerians develop digital skills for employment and career growth through its MTN Skills Academy.

At the Social Media Fest (SMFest) Abuja 2026, held at Family Worship Center, Wuye, Abuja, on Saturday, October 17, beneficiaries shared how the programme has improved their career prospects. They highlighted the value of online learning, professional certifications and practical projects in preparing them for employment opportunities.

One of the beneficiaries, who completed software engineering courses through the academy, said the programme helped him overcome the challenge of identifying a clear entry point into the technology industry. He explained that certifications earned from Amazon through Coursera strengthened his technical knowledge, helped him develop practical projects and prepared him for internship opportunities.

“The certifications I earned and the projects I built strengthened my CV and helped me secure a remote backend engineering internship,” he said. “Through this opportunity, I have gained valuable hands-on experience, learned how to apply my skills in a professional setting, and taken an important first step in my career.”

The beneficiary added that he had applied his training by developing a backend application programming interface that collects data from the web, processes and formats the information into updates, and sends them to subscribers. He said the project had helped him apply software engineering concepts to automate practical tasks, while calling for more internship opportunities, structured mentorship and professional guidance to support his long-term career development.

Another beneficiary, Abdullahi Zulqarnain Ogirima, a civil engineering graduate and MTN scholar, said the academy helped him acquire digital skills relevant to his academic background and future career. His training covered office applications, data analysis and real estate, which he said had improved his ability to organise information, make informed decisions and approach engineering and business challenges.

“As an MTN scholar, I was attracted to the academy’s opportunity to develop practical digital skills,” Ogirima said. “As a Civil Engineering graduate, I chose courses that complement my engineering background, strengthen my problem solving abilities, and support my long term career ambitions.”

Ogirima said the training had strengthened his confidence in using technology to solve problems and encouraged him to share his knowledge with friends and colleagues. He added that he planned to apply his digital skills to engineering, explore opportunities in data analysis and real estate, and contribute to meaningful projects, noting that digital learning initiatives could improve employability, encourage entrepreneurship and support national development.

The MTN Skills Academy provides young Nigerians with access to digital learning resources, career guidance and certification courses designed to prepare them for employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. According to MTN Nigeria, the platform offers free learning opportunities to Nigerians aged 15 to 35, with courses delivered in partnership with Coursera. The initiative forms part of MTN’s wider Digital Skills for Digital Jobs programme, which seeks to equip young people with skills relevant to the changing demands of the labour market.

The beneficiaries’ experiences highlight how structured digital learning, practical projects and industry-recognised certifications can help young Nigerians identify career pathways and gain experience. Their accounts also point to the importance of connecting digital training with internships, mentorship and opportunities to apply newly acquired skills in professional settings.