Femal Empowerment :ICT and Business Skills Training 2026: ₦1 Million Equipment Grant Opportunity for Young Nigerian Women

Young female entrepreneurs in Nigeria can apply for the MTN Foundation ICT and Business Skills Training Programme – Phase 8, an initiative designed to help microbusiness owners develop practical digital and business skills.

The 2026 programme will train 3,000 female microbusiness owners from six Nigerian states. The top 100 participants will also have an opportunity to receive equipment grants of up to ₦1 million each, from a total equipment-grant fund of ₦100 million.

MTN Foundation ICT Training 2026 at a Glance

Programme: MTN ICT and Business Skills Training Programme – Phase 8
Country: Nigeria
Target group: Young female microbusiness owners
Age: 18–35 years
Training duration: Five weeks
Mode: Blended learning
Number of participants: 3,000
Equipment grant: Up to ₦1 million for each of the top 100 participants
Total grant fund: ₦100 million
Application deadline: October 11, 2026

The programme is being implemented by the MTN Foundation.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must meet the programme's eligibility requirements.

You must:

Be a Nigerian female aged 18–35
Own and manage a microbusiness
Have a business that has been operational for no more than two years
Have the business located in one of the eligible states

The eligible states for Phase 8 are:

Rivers
Abia
Ogun
Kwara
Kano
Gombe

What Will Participants Learn?

The five-week programme combines several forms of learning rather than relying entirely on traditional classroom training.

Participants will receive:

Self-paced online learning
Instructor-led sessions
Masterclasses from experienced entrepreneurs
A capstone project challenge
Data support for the learning programme

The aim is to help participating entrepreneurs apply digital and business skills directly to their businesses.

₦1 Million Equipment Grant

One of the major attractions of the programme is the equipment-grant component.

The top 100 participants can receive equipment grants of up to ₦1 million each, with a total fund of ₦100 million.

The grant is intended to provide equipment that can help successful participants strengthen and expand their businesses.

It is important to understand that completing the training does not mean every participant receives ₦1 million. The equipment grants are specifically for the top 100 participants.

How Many People Will Be Trained?

MTN Foundation says Phase 8 will train 3,000 female microbusiness owners across the six participating states.

The programme builds on previous phases of the initiative, which MTN says have trained more than 15,000 young Nigerian microbusiness owners since the programme began in 2018.

Why This Opportunity Matters for Small Businesses

Many small businesses struggle with areas such as digital marketing, technology adoption, business management and finding better ways to reach customers.

The MTN Foundation programme is designed to help young entrepreneurs develop practical skills that can be applied to their existing businesses.

For entrepreneurs in Rivers, Abia, Ogun, Kwara, Kano and Gombe, this provides an opportunity to combine business training with the possibility of receiving equipment support.

Application Deadline

The application deadline is:

October 11, 2026

Interested applicants should submit their applications before the deadline and ensure that the information supplied during the application process is accurate.

How to Apply

Applications should be made through the official MTN Foundation programme page.

Applicants should carefully read the eligibility requirements before starting their application.

Official MTN Foundation Programme Page:
MTN Foundation ICT and Business Skills Training – Phase 8

Important Note

This programme is not open to every Nigerian entrepreneur. Phase 8 specifically targets female Nigerian microbusiness owners aged 18–35 whose businesses are located in Rivers, Abia, Ogun, Kwara, Kano or Gombe.

Applicants should also be aware that the ₦1 million equipment grant is competitive and is reserved for the top 100 participants.

Final Thoughts

If you are a young female entrepreneur operating a small business in one of the six eligible Nigerian states, the MTN Foundation ICT and Business Skills Training Programme could provide both practical business training and an opportunity to compete for equipment funding.

With applications closing on October 11, 2026, eligible entrepreneurs should review the official requirements and apply before the deadline.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes. Programme requirements, eligibility conditions and deadlines may change. Applicants should confirm the latest information on the official MTN Foundation website before applying.

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