By David Torough, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu yesterday said Nigeria’s ambition to achieve a $1 trillion economy is tied to boosting productivity, nurturing innovation and equipping citizens, especially the youth, with globally competitive digital skills.

Speaking at the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Nigeria National Impact Summit held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, the President, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, said national prosperity does not come by chance but through deliberate investment in human capital.

Tinubu noted that in an era defined by rapid technological disruptions, countries that take the lead are those that strategically develop the capabilities of their young population.

He said human capital development remains at the heart of his Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Digital skills now power growth across agriculture, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, education and public service.

“A strong digital workforce creates jobs, expands enterprise and positions Nigeria to compete globally. More importantly, it shifts our role from passive consumers of technology to active creators and exporters of talent”, the President said

He described the 3MTT programme as a clear demonstration of his administration’s commitment to economic transformation.

From over 1.8 million applications received nationwide to the emergence of new startups and tech-driven job opportunities, Tinubu said the initiative has already recorded a measurable impact.

According to him, the 3MTT programme is breaking the long-standing limitations of geography by extending opportunities to young Nigerians in rural areas, restoring their confidence that they can compete and excel in the global digital economy.

The President commended the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy for its implementation of the programme and acknowledged strong support from the private sector and development partners, including IHS Towers, MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Google, Microsoft, Huawei, Moniepoint, UNDP and the European Union.

Despite the gains, Tinubu stressed the need for continuous collaboration between government, industry and development partners to sustain the nationwide digital skills transformation.

“To the young Nigerians gathered here, and the millions you represent, we believe in your capacity and your future. Through initiatives like 3MTT, we are building genuine platforms for progress, not ceremonial commitments”, he said.

He said the Nigeria of the future must be powered by skilled hands and innovative minds capable of driving the country’s next phase of economic growth and shared prosperity.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, in his presentation, said the 3MTT initiative has trained about 135,000 Nigerians in the past two years, with many securing well-paid jobs in tech firms or gaining opportunities for foreign study in countries such as China and the United Kingdom.

He revealed that over 1.8 million youths registered for the programme within its first month, demonstrating the strong interest of young Nigerians in digital career pathways.

Tijani said President Tinubu’s commitment to digital infrastructure remains unmatched, noting that the President approved the deployment of 4,000 telecom sites to rural communities to connect 23 million unserved Nigerians to the internet.

According to him, projections indicate that by 2030, about 170 million tech-driven jobs will be available globally, and Nigeria must position itself to take advantage of these opportunities.

Highlighting support from partners including Google, Microsoft, IHS, Huawei, MTN, UNDP and the African Development Bank, the Minister said 3MTT is open to all Nigerian youths regardless of background.

He disclosed that the NCC has provided N1.5 billion worth of laptops and digital devices to participants, and that 15,000 direct jobs have already been secured by beneficiaries following their training.

Tijani called for greater private sector participation, saying the programme now has community managers across the 36 states and the FCT, and over 600 facility agents working in the 774 local government areas.

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

Nigeria’s total merchandise trade increased to N38.9 trillion in the third quarter of 2025, reflecting positive momentum in the nation’s import-export performance even in the face of global economic uncertainties.

The latest ‘Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics Q3 2025’ report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released on Thursday, indicated that the Q3 merchandize trade value grew  by 8.

71% year-on-year from the N35. 8 trillion recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2024 but 2.36% rise compared to the N38.04 trillion value recorded in Q2, 2025.

In the quarter under review, the trade data showed that exports accounted for 58.

59% of total trade with a value of N22.8 trillion, showing an increase of 11.08% over the N20.54 trillion value recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2024, and by 0.28% compared to the N22.75 trillion value recorded in Q2, this year

According to the NBS, crude oil remained Nigeria’s dominant export commodity in Q3 2025, with a value of N12.81 trillion, representing 56.14% of total exports for Q3 2025.

The import-export trade reflected that non-crude oil exports totalled N10.01 trillion, accounting for 43.86% of total exports, and in this category, non-oil products contributed N2.9 trillion, or 13.14% of total exports.

A further analysis of the merchandize trade data in the quarter under review revealed that agricultural produce exports amounted to N786.62 billion, reflecting an 11.69% decline from N890.72 billion in Q3 2024 and a 37.39% drop compared to N1.26 trillion in Q2 2025, while Raw material exports were valued at N1.04 trillion, representing a 136.38% increase from N439.82 billion in Q3 2024 and a 26.83% rise compared to N819.72 billion recorded in the preceding quarter.

Also, Solid mineral exports amounted to N100.81 billion, showing a 29.75% increase from N77.70 billion in Q3 2024 and an additional 30.41% growth from N77.31 billion reported in the preceding quarter.

The data further showed that the value of manufactured goods exports stood at N978.53 billion, reflecting a 6.03% decline from N1.04 trillion in Q3 2024. However, compared to Q2 2025, the Q3 2025 value represented a 21.74% increase over the N803.81 billion recorded in the previous quarter.

The statistics agency reported that Exports of other oil products in Q3 2025 totalled N7.01 trillion, showing 51.72 per cent rise from N4.62 trillion in Q3 2024, but dipping by 9.42 per cent from the N7.74 trillion recorded in Q2 2025.

Overall, the exports data for Q3 2025 reflected a mixed performance across sectors, with strong gains in raw materials and solid minerals contrasting declines in agricultural exports and some oil-related categories.

On the import side, the data showed that Imports accounted for 41.41 per cent of Nigeria’s total trade in the quarter under review, peaking at N16.12 trillion and representing 5.51 per cent increase from the N15.28 trillion recorded in Q3 2024, and 5.47 per cent rise compared to N15.29 trillion in the preceding quarter.

Despite the growth in imports, Nigeria maintained a positive merchandise trade balance in Q3 2025.

Specifically, the NBS reported that the nation’s trade surplus stood at N6.69 trillion, but represented 10.36 per cent decline from the N7.46 trillion recorded in Q2 2025, due to the faster pace of import growth relative to exports.

On the merchandize trade based on the countries traded with, the NBS data showed that on the import side, China remained Nigeria’s leading trading partner in Q3 2025, followed by the United States, India, the United Arab Emirates, and Belgium.

According to the data, the most imported commodities during the quarter included petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (crude), gas oil, premium motor spirit (petrol), durum wheat, and cane sugar intended for sugar refining.

On the export side, Nigeria’s top five trading partners were India, Spain, France, the Netherlands, and Italy. The major commodities exported to the countries during the quarter under review comprised crude oil, natural gas, other petroleum gases in a gaseous state, kerosene-type jet fuel, and urea, whether or not in aqueous solution.

Analysts believe that the trade surplus recorded by Nigeria during the quarter was reflective of the improving performance of the economy as the government continued to consolidate on the modest achievements of the nation’s monetary and fiscal policy reforms.

For instance, they maintained that the higher trade volumes pointed to improved production levels, stronger demand for Nigerian commodities, and greater activity at the ports while the increase in total exports demonstrated the resilience in the country’s main revenue-generating sectors.

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Wednesday tasked the three tiers of Government in Nigeria to collaborate with religious organizations especially Nigeria Inter-Religious (NIREC) to resolve the nation’s insecurity challenges which will bring greater impact.

President CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh stated this in his goodwill message at the NIREC meeting in Abuja.

Okoh added that the collaboration with such groups would enhance public trust and ensure that peacebuilding strategies are people-centred and inclusive.

The CAN President, lamented apart from human tragedy, insecurity is crippling the economy, farmers are unable to access their farmlands, traders face rising operational challenges,and investors are discouraged by uncertainty.

He said these challenges have continued to deepen poverty, hunger, and frustration-conditions that further fuel instability.

According to Okoh, “Faith-based organisations therefore hold immense potential for strengthening security and sustaining peace. Because of their deep community roots, moral authority, and trusted presence, they are natural bridges to the hearts and minds of citizens.

“We, therefore, encourage governments at all levels to draw even closer to these organisations, including NIREC, by recognising the unique value they offer in mobilising communities, promoting dialogue, and nurturing social harmony.

“Working hand-in-hand – sharing insights, coordinating initiatives, and jointly seeking solutions – will produce far greater impact. Such partnership enhances public trust and ensures that peacebuilding strategies are people-centred and inclusive.

“Beyond human tragedy, insecurity is crippling our economy. Farmers are unable to access their farmlands, traders face rising operational challenges,and investors are discouraged by uncertainty. These realities continue to deepen poverty, hunger, and frustration-conditions that further fuel instability”.

The CAN Boss commended the government’s efforts, “While government bears the constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property, religious leaders carry a sacred moral responsibility to build mutual trust and foster religious harmony within communities.

“At this juncture, I would like to acknowledge the ongoing efforts of the Federal Government under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, to reduce the level of insecurity in our nation. We acknowledge the renewed initiatives to strengthen security architecture in order to combat the activities of terrorists and bandits across the country and we encourage His Excellency to do more”.

He said, “This meeting comes at a most critical moment in our national history. Nigeria continues to grapple with insecurity that threatens our collective survival and national cohesion. Banditry, kidnapping for ransom, violent extremism, and other forms of criminality have spread across the country-leaving behind sorrow, fear, and displacement.

“Excellencies, Eminent Religious leaders, brothers and sisters, Faith institutions remain among the most trusted and far-reaching structures in Nigeria. Our pulpits, mosques, and community networks shape values, guide behaviour, and can either calm tensions or escalate distrust”.

He noted that NIREC remains a strong asset, “NIREC remains a strategic national asset. It enables us to speak with one voice against violence, condemn criminality in all its forms – irrespective of the victims’ identity – and affirm that no religion justifies the taking of innocent lives. This, I trust, we shall continue to uphold with all sincerity.

“Together, we can transform hope into collective action – and build a safer, more stable, and more united Nigeria”.

He therefore reiterated the commitment of CAN in supporting NIREC and collaborating with the government in restoring peace and security nationwide.

He stressed, “However, peace cannot be sustained without justice. Perpetrators of violence – and those who finance them or encourage them – must be held accountable; victims must be supported and rehabilitated; and communities must be reassured that the rule of law protects every citizen equally.

“As religious leaders, we must intensify prayers alongside action. We must continue to use our influence to encourage citizens to reject violence, resist misinformation, cooperate with lawful authorities, and uphold the enduring values of honesty, compassion, and national unity. Our unity across faith lines is, in itself, a message of hope to a nation weary of fear and division”.

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