MTN Nigeria and the Project Management Institute (PMI) have launched a campus-based skills development programme aimed at preparing more than 20,000 Nigerian students for an evolving labour market, where artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and digital technologies are reshaping the nature of work.
The initiative, unveiled under MTN Nigeria’s Live it 100 on Campus roadshow, is designed to equip students with in-demand workplace competencies, including project management, digital literacy, innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
Managing Director, PMI Sub-Saharan Africa, George Asamani, said the ability to transform ideas into successful projects would become increasingly valuable as organisations embrace technological innovation.
The programme will be rolled out across seven universities spanning five of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Activities commenced at Delta State University in June and will continue at Ekiti State University from July 15 to 17.
Other participating institutions are Ahmadu Bello University, Abia State University, Lagos State University, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, and the University of Calabar.
The organisers said the initiative responds to employers’ growing demand for graduates who possess practical workplace skills alongside academic qualifications, as organisations increasingly integrate AI and other emerging technologies into their operations.
Through the partnership, PMI will introduce students to project management principles, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation, while connecting them with professionals across the technology, engineering, business, entertainment, and public sectors.
“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,” he added.
Nigeria continues to face graduate employability challenges, with employers frequently highlighting gaps between university education and workplace expectations. The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence has further intensified calls for young people to develop the digital, technical, and problem-solving capabilities required to remain competitive in the labour market.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, technological advances, including artificial intelligence and information-processing technologies, are expected to transform occupations globally and create demand for new skills.
MTN Nigeria said the initiative forms part of its broader youth empowerment strategy, noting that access to digital technology alone is insufficient without the competencies needed to use it effectively.
Senior Manager, Youth and Teen Segment, MTN Nigeria, Temilolu Salako, said today’s students would enter a labour market markedly different from that experienced by 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 the campus sessions, participants will also be introduced to PMI’s professional development programmes, including the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification for students and early-career professionals, as well as the Cognitive Project Management in AI course, which focuses on managing AI-enabled projects.
The initiative will also strengthen collaboration between students and the PMI Nigeria Chapter through mentorship, networking, and leadership development opportunities.
Participating universities will be encouraged to establish PMI Student Clubs to provide project-based learning experiences and further strengthen students’ readiness for the rapidly evolving labour market.
