Over 2,000 young Nigerians have been trained on basic ICT and business skills with the aim of helping small businesses adopt digital tools, as part of efforts to improve the productivity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country.
Held virtually between Monday and Friday, January 5-9, 2026, the training constituted the seventh phase of the ICT and vocational skills program targeted at youth aged 18 to 35 years.
The move was aimed at strengthening the capacity of youth-led SMEs to operate more efficiently through MTN's digital skills intervention, at a time when small businesses are playing a vital role in the Nigerian economy.
According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), SMEs account for over 90 percent of businesses in Nigeria and employ a significant portion of the workforce, highlighting the need for initiatives that support their sustainability and growth.
The beneficiaries were selected from over 5,000 applications received during a one-month application window in September 2025.
The participants were drawn from sectors such as food services, fashion, retail, logistics, beauty and printing, and are expected to undergo a five-week training program running until February 2026.
The training focused on the use of simple and affordable digital tools rather than complex technologies, with facilitators encouraging participants to digitalize routine business functions and gradually scale up their operations.
The first week's sessions covered topics including digital record-keeping, customer engagement, telesales and basic cybersecurity practices.
Speaking during the event, the Executive Director of MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya, said the initiative was designed to address practical challenges faced by small business owners.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and helping young entrepreneurs adopt simple digital tools can make a real difference to productivity, sustainability and long-term growth,” he said.
One of the facilitators, business analyst and digital transformation expert, Babajide Jolaolu-Kehinde, led the session on digital transformation for small businesses.
He explained that automating repetitive tasks helps save time, reduce errors, and improve efficiency, while tools like WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business can increase customer engagement and visibility.
Case studies shared during the sessions highlighted how small enterprises improved sales and customer reach after adopting digital ordering, online payments and basic digital marketing.
Participants were also encouraged to view digital transformation as an ongoing process rather than a one-time effort.
Organizers said participants will continue to have access to learning materials and session recordings throughout the duration of the programme, with the aim of ensuring that the skills gained translate into long-term improvements in business operations.
