Francis Sani

Mr. Francis O. Sani is an accomplished innovation strategist, technology ecosystem development specialist and venture capital professional with over a decade of experience spanning entrepreneurship, investment management, digital transformation and technology policy. He currently serves as the Programme Director of the Federal Government's 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme and Technical Adviser on Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Capital to the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Olatunbosun Tijani.
His professional career includes extensive experience in supporting technology startups, developing innovation programmes and facilitating investment opportunities across Africa. He previously worked at Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB), one of Africa's leading technology innovation centres, where he held several positions, including Incubation Analyst, Accelerator Programmes Manager and Interim Startups Team Lead. During his tenure, he managed pan-African startup acceleration programmes and supported entrepreneurs through partnerships involving international organisations such as Facebook, Google, Airbus and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).
In August 2023, he assumed his responsibilities at the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, where he has contributed to the design and implementation of national programmes aimed at strengthening Nigeria's technology workforce and innovation ecosystem. As Programme Director of 3MTT, he oversees the implementation of the Federal Government's initiative to equip three million Nigerians with technical skills and improve their access to employment opportunities within the global digital economy.
Under his leadership, the 3MTT Programme has expanded digital skills training across Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, providing training in software development, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, data science, product management and other emerging technology disciplines. By September 2026, the programme had trained more than 190,000 Nigerians across four cohorts, with approximately 1.87 million individuals registered in its talent pipeline. According to the programme's reported outcomes, more than 30,000 fellows had also been connected to employment and other income-generating opportunities.
Mr. Sani has championed strategic partnerships designed to strengthen technical training, practical learning and employment placement. These include collaborations with Microsoft, Google, MTN, Airtel and other technology and telecommunications organisations. He has also contributed to the development of the 3MTT–Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme Placement Initiative, which connects trained digital professionals with employers. In March 2026, the Ministry launched the 3MTT Partner Network, supported by a €5 million European Union commitment to expand digital skills development and strengthen collaboration among government institutions, technology companies and development partners.
Mr. Francis Sani continues to champion technology entrepreneurship, digital skills development and innovation-driven economic growth. Through his leadership of the 3MTT Programme, he contributes to the development of a skilled Nigerian technology workforce and the creation of pathways for young people to participate in the global digital economy.