The MTN ICT Business Skills Training Programme 2026, Cohort 8, has opened applications for 3,000 female microbusiness owners in six Nigerian states.
The five-week programme is designed to equip young entrepreneurs with technology-enabled business skills to help them improve the competitiveness and sustainability of their businesses.
According to the programme details, the training will use a blended-learning approach comprising self-paced online modules, instructor-led sessions, masterclasses led by experienced entrepreneurs and a capstone project.
Participants will also receive mobile data support throughout the programme to facilitate their participation in the online training.
The initiative is open to Nigerian women aged between 18 and 35 who own and manage a small business that has operated for no longer than two years.
Applicants must also operate their businesses in one of six eligible states: Rivers, Abia, Ogun, Kwara, Kano or Gombe.
At the end of the programme, the top 100 participants will be eligible for equipment grants of up to ₦1 million each, from a total grant fund of ₦100 million.
The programme has previously been delivered in collaboration with organisations including Google, Oracle, KPMG, IBM, Digital Bridge Institute, Cisco, Meta and Microsoft. The initiative has trained 15,362 young microbusiness owners across 29 states and the Federal Capital Territory since 2018, according to the programme information.
The deadline for applications is October 11, 2026. Interested and eligible applicants are advised to complete their applications before the deadline.
MTN ICT Business Skills Training 2026 at a glance
– Programme: MTN ICT Business Skills Training Programme, Cohort 8
– Eligible applicants: Nigerian women aged 18–35
– Target: 3,000 female microbusiness owners
– Business requirement: Business must have operated for no longer than two years
– Eligible states: Rivers, Abia, Ogun, Kwara, Kano and Gombe
– Duration: Five weeks
– Support: Online training and mobile data
– Equipment grant: Up to ₦1 million for each of the top 100 participants
– Total grant fund: ₦100 million
– Application deadline: October 11, 2026
https://www.mtn.ng/mtnf-ict/
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