MTN Nigeria and the Project Management Institute have launched a campus focused skills development programme targeting more than 20,000 Nigerian students across seven universities, as employers place increasing emphasis on digital literacy, project execution and adaptability alongside traditional academic qualifications.

The initiative, delivered under MTN Nigeria's Live it 100 on Campus roadshow, will bring career development, technology awareness, and entrepreneurship sessions to institutions spanning five of Nigeria's six geopolitical zones. The programme commenced at Delta State University in June and continues at Ekiti State University from July 15 to 17. Ahmadu Bello University, Abia State University, Lagos State University, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, and the University of Calabar are scheduled to follow before the end of the year.

Through the partnership, PMI will expose students to project management principles, entrepreneurship, innovation and digital transformation, while connecting them with professionals across technology, engineering, business, entertainment and public service.

The Managing Director of PMI Sub Saharan Africa, George Asamani, said the capacity to execute ideas and manage complex projects would grow increasingly critical as businesses adopt new technologies.

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

The Senior Manager for Youth and Teen Segment at MTN Nigeria, Temilolu Salako, noted that students entering the workforce would encounter an environment markedly different from that of 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.

Students will gain access to PMI's professional development pathways, including the Certified Associate in Project Management certification and the Cognitive Project Management in AI course. The partnership also aims to strengthen ties between students and the PMI Nigeria Chapter through mentorship, networking, and leadership opportunities, with participating universities encouraged to establish PMI Student Clubs for practical, project based learning.

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