MTN Foundation has trained over 2,000 young Nigerians on basic ICT and business skills aimed at helping small businesses adopt digital tools, as part of efforts to improve the productivity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country.
The training, which held virtually between Monday and Friday, January 5–9, 2026, formed the seventh phase of an ICT and business skills programme targeted at youths aged 18 to 35.
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 continue to play a critical role in Nigeria’s economy.
According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), SMEs account for over 90 per cent of businesses in Nigeria and employ a significant share 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.
Participants were drawn from sectors such as food services, fashion, retail, logistics, beauty and printing, and are expected to undergo a five-week training programme scheduled to run until February 2026.
The training focused on the use of simple and affordable digital tools rather than complex technologies, with facilitators encouraging participants to digitise routine business tasks and gradually scale their operations.
Sessions during the first week covered topics including digital record-keeping, customer engagement, telesales and basic cybersecurity practices.
Speaking during the programme, Executive Director of the 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 in productivity, sustainability, and long-term growth,” she said.
One of the facilitators, Babajide Jolaolu-Kehinde, a business analyst and digital transformation expert, led sessions on digital transformation for small businesses.
He explained that automating repetitive tasks helps save time, reduce errors and improve efficiency, while tools such as WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business can enhance 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 a continuous process rather than a one-off effort.
Organisers 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.
