MTN, PMI Partner to Upskill 20,000 Students Across Seven Universities

MTN Nigeria and the Project Management Institute (PMI) have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at equipping more than 20,000 university students with digital, leadership and career development skills.

The initiative, which is being implemented through MTN’s Live it 100 on Campus programme, is designed to prepare students for an increasingly digital and project-driven economy while exposing them to emerging career opportunities.

The programme will be held across seven universities, including Delta State University, Ekiti State University, Ahmadu Bello University, Abia State University, Lagos State University, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, and the University of Calabar. The roadshow began at Delta State University and will continue in the other institutions throughout the year.

Through the partnership, PMI will provide career empowerment sessions covering entrepreneurship, innovation, digital transformation and project leadership. Students will also be introduced to the skills and competencies increasingly required in industries such as technology, engineering, business, entertainment, the creative economy and public service.

Managing Director of PMI Sub-Saharan Africa, George Asamani, said the future belongs to individuals who can transform ideas into results through collaboration, leadership and effective problem-solving.

Also speaking, Temilolu Salako, Senior Manager for the Youth and Teen Segment at MTN Nigeria, noted that academic qualifications alone are no longer sufficient for success in the modern workplace. She said the initiative is intended to help students discover opportunities, connect with industry experts and develop practical skills that will support their professional growth.

Participants will additionally be exposed to PMI’s professional development and certification pathways, including the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and other learning programmes focused on managing technology-enabled projects.

Beyond the campus engagements, students will be connected to the PMI Nigeria Chapter for mentorship, networking and leadership opportunities, while interested institutions will receive support in establishing PMI Student Clubs on their campuses.

The organisers expressed confidence that the programme will improve students’ employability by providing early exposure to workplace skills, professional networks and real-world industry knowledge before graduation, thereby helping to bridge the gap between university education and the demands of the labour market.