Running a microbusiness in Nigeria often means you’re doing everything yourself: sales, bookkeeping, marketing, and production, usually without any formal training in how to do it well. The MTN Foundation ICT and Business Skills Training Programme was built for exactly that gap, and Phase 8 is now open for applications.
It’s a five-week programme aimed at young Nigerian female microbusiness owners, and beyond the training itself, top performers get to compete for equipment grants worth up to ₦1 million. Applications close October 11, 2026.
About the Programme
The programme is run by the MTN Foundation, the corporate social investment arm of MTN Nigeria. It’s designed to equip young Nigerian female microbusiness owners with practical digital, technology, and business skills they can apply immediately in their businesses.
Rather than a one-off workshop, it’s a structured five-week programme using a blended learning approach. You’ll work through self-paced online modules, join instructor-led sessions, attend masterclasses from experienced entrepreneurs, and build a capstone project by the end of it.
Benefits
Participants get more than certificates at the end of this one. Here’s what’s on offer:
- Practical ICT, digital, and business skills training
- Self-paced online learning modules you can fit around your business hours
- Instructor-led training sessions
- Masterclasses from experienced entrepreneurs who’ve actually built and run businesses
- A capstone project challenge to apply what you’ve learned
- Data support throughout the programme
- The chance to compete for equipment grants of up to ₦1 million
That last point is the one worth paying attention to. The equipment grant isn’t guaranteed to every participant, it’s tied to performance in the capstone project, so treat the programme as a real competition, not just a training course to sit through.
Eligibility Criteria
- You must be a Nigerian female aged 18 to 35
- You must own and manage a microbusiness
- Your business must have operated for no more than two years
- Your business must be located in Rivers, Abia, Ogun, Kwara, Kano, or Gombe State
If your business is outside these six states, this particular phase won’t be open to you, but the MTN Foundation runs this programme in phases, so it’s worth watching for the next one if your state isn’t on this list yet.
Documents Needed To Apply
The application itself is free and handled through the official MTN Foundation platform. Before you start, have these ready:
- A valid means of identification
- Basic details of your business, including how long it has operated and where it’s located
- A working phone number and email address for correspondence
- Access to a smartphone or computer for the online modules
Since the equipment grant is competitive and tied to your capstone project, it helps to walk in with a clear picture of what your business actually needs to grow, not just a vague idea. If you don’t already have a proper business plan, our business plan service can help you put one together so you can make the most of the training and the grant opportunity.
Key Details at a Glance
Programme: MTN Foundation ICT and Business Skills Training Programme 2026 (Phase 8)
Organizer: MTN Foundation
Eligible location: Rivers, Abia, Ogun, Kwara, Kano, and Gombe State, Nigeria
Funding available: Equipment grants of up to ₦1 million, awarded competitively through the capstone project
Application deadline: October 11, 2026
How to Apply
- Confirm you meet all four eligibility requirements before you start
- Visit the official MTN Foundation ICT application platform
- Fill in your personal and business details accurately
- Submit your application before October 11, 2026
- If selected, commit to the full five weeks, since the capstone project (and your shot at the grant) depends on completing the programme
Apply directly on the MTN Foundation ICT and Business Skills Training Programme page.
Final Thoughts
This is a solid opportunity for young female microbusiness owners in the six eligible states, and it’s free to apply. Five weeks of structured training plus a real chance at equipment funding is worth the time investment, especially if your business has been running on guesswork so far.
Nigerian regulators also expect registered businesses to keep proper records, so if you haven’t formalized your microbusiness yet, look into our business registration services alongside this training.
For more grants and funding calls like this one, check our running list of the latest opportunities for the month.