Inspiring Comeback: Nigerian Mother’s Journey Through the 3 Million Technical Talent Programme
In a heartwarming tale of perseverance and determination, Victoria Adefila, a stay-at-home mom from Nigeria, has shared her remarkable journey of rediscovering her passion for technology and rebuilding her career through the 3 Million Technical Talent programme (3MTT). This Nigerian government-backed initiative, launched in 2023, aims to train at least three million Nigerians in technical skills, bridging the gap in the country’s tech ecosystem.
Victoria’s story began with a thriving beauty business that took a downturn during her pregnancy due to complications. The challenges intensified after the birth of her child, as she battled postpartum depression. Despite holding a degree in Computer Engineering, she found herself drifting away from her career aspirations.
However, when her husband encouraged her to explore product design, an area that aligned with her creative skills and previous volunteer work, Victoria began to reconsider her future. She discovered the 3MTT programme and was initially skeptical, but as she delved deeper into its objectives and success stories, her perspective shifted dramatically.
With over 1.7 million individuals applying for the programme, Victoria seized the opportunity to participate in Cohort II, determined to reclaim her career. She immersed herself in every aspect of the programme, attending all classes and making the most of available resources. Her dedication paid off, and she discovered the concept of design thinking, learning how to research, empathize, and solve real-world problems.
Within just eight weeks of the programme, Victoria created wireframes, completed assignments, and benefited from the unwavering support of her instructors at Roothub, a leading training hub affiliated with 3MTT. The sense of community and intentional learning environment were a lifeline for her, and she expressed gratitude for the encouragement and collaboration she experienced during the training.
Victoria’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of the 3MTT initiative, which aims to equip individuals with the tools necessary to thrive in the digital landscape. She thanked Minister Bosun Tijani and President Bola Tinubu for creating an enabling environment for such initiatives.
As she reflects on her experience, Victoria is excited about the future. "3MTT has truly been a gift. It’s given me the tools to reconnect with my passion for tech, and I couldn’t be more grateful for this journey and what lies ahead." With her newfound skills and confidence, she hopes to inspire others in her community and beyond to pursue their dreams, no matter the obstacles they may face.
The 3MTT programme has generated significant interest, with applications received from Nigeria’s 774 local governments, showcasing the widespread enthusiasm for technical training across the nation. Minister Tijani emphasized the ministry’s strategic approach to achieving the programme’s ambitious goals, introducing the "1-10-100 model" to drive implementation.
As the programme continues to roll out, Victoria’s story stands as a beacon of hope, illustrating the profound impact of targeted training programmes like 3MTT in addressing unemployment and fostering a vibrant digital economy in Nigeria.
