MTN Nigeria and the Project Management Institute have launched a campus-focused skills development programme aimed at preparing more than 20,000 Nigerian students for an increasingly digital labour market where artificial intelligence, automation and emerging technologies are reshaping the nature of work.

The initiative, launched under MTN Nigeria’s Live it 100 on Campus roadshow, will take career development, technology awareness and entrepreneurship sessions to seven universities across five of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, beginning with Delta State University in June and continuing with Ekiti State University from 15 to 17 July.

Other institutions scheduled to host the programme include Ahmadu Bello University, Abia State University, Lagos State University, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, and the University of Calabar before the end of the year.

The partnership comes as employers globally increasingly place greater emphasis on practical capabilities including digital literacy, problem-solving, adaptability, leadership and project execution alongside traditional academic qualifications.

With artificial intelligence expected to transform industries ranging from financial services and telecommunications to manufacturing, media and the creative economy, companies are increasingly seeking workers who can combine technical knowledge with the ability to manage change and deliver technology-driven projects.

Through the partnership, PMI will provide students with exposure to project management principles, entrepreneurship, innovation and digital transformation, while connecting them with professionals who can offer insights into career opportunities across technology, engineering, business, entertainment and public service.

Managing Director, PMI Sub-Saharan Africa, George Asamani, said the ability to execute ideas and manage complex projects would become increasingly important as businesses adopt new technologies.

“The future belongs to people who can take an idea and make it happen,” Asamani said. “Regardless of where their ambitions lie, the ability to lead, collaborate, solve problems and deliver results will determine their success.”

Nigeria has one of Africa’s largest youth populations, with millions of young people entering the labour market annually. However, concerns over graduate employability have persisted, with businesses often citing gaps between university education and workplace requirements.

The country’s unemployment landscape has also shifted in recent years, with policymakers and private-sector organisations placing greater focus on skills development, digital training and entrepreneurship as pathways to improving economic opportunities for young people.

The growth of artificial intelligence has added urgency to these efforts. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 identified technological change, including artificial intelligence and information processing technologies, as among the major forces expected to reshape jobs globally, creating demand for new skills while changing existing roles.

MTN Nigeria said the initiative reflects the company’s broader youth empowerment strategy, arguing that access to technology alone is insufficient without the skills required to use digital tools effectively.

Senior Manager, Youth and Teen Segment at MTN Nigeria, Temilolu Salako, said young people entering the workforce would face a different environment from previous generations.

“Today’s students will enter a world of work that looks very different from the one their parents knew. Many of the jobs they will eventually do have not yet been created, while existing careers continue to evolve at an unprecedented pace,” Salako said.

Beyond classroom sessions, students participating in the programme will be introduced to PMI’s professional development pathways, including the Certified Associate in Project Management certification, designed for students and early-career professionals, as well as the Cognitive Project Management in AI course focused on managing AI-enabled projects.

The partnership also aims to strengthen links between students and the PMI Nigeria Chapter, which will provide opportunities for mentorship, professional networking and leadership development. Interested universities will also be encouraged to establish PMI Student Clubs to give students practical exposure to project-based learning.