Federal Government of Nigeria has successfully obtained a grant of N2.8 billion from Google, aimed at bolstering artificial intelligence (AI) talent development in the country.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to address skill shortages and establish Nigeria as a leader in AI innovation within Africa. During a press conference held in Abuja on Thursday, Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, announced the partnership, emphasizing that the funds will be allocated to training programs for Nigerian youths and support for AI startups, ultimately creating job opportunities and enhancing the nation’s economic resilience.
“This partnership with Google highlights our determination to position Nigeria as a forerunner in AI innovation,” Tijani remarked. “By utilizing Google’s extensive expertise, we aim to equip Nigerians with vital skills necessary to succeed in the global digital landscape.
“This collaboration is a major advancement towards achieving an innovative and inclusive future for everyone in Nigeria.”
The grant forms part of Google’s broader commitment of $5.8 million to enhance digital skill development across sub-Saharan Africa and follows closely after the recent announcement of Nigeria’s own N100 million AI fund in collaboration with Google.
Tijani noted that this initiative will prioritize critical sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and governance, with selected AI startups expected to play a significant role in addressing local challenges and promoting sustainable economic growth.
He stressed the need for a strong local ecosystem to harness the development potential of AI, which relies heavily on strategic partnerships.
“It is evident that the progress we envision for Nigeria cannot be achieved solely through government efforts,” he said. “Our function is to outline the vision, while initiatives like Google’s will be instrumental in cultivating the economy we aspire to build.”
Matt Brittin, President of Google EMEA, stated that the grant will support Nigeria in advancing its ongoing “3 Million Technical Talents” program designed for AI skill enhancement among 20,000 Nigerians. Launched on October 13, the 3MTT initiative is a four-year program aimed at solidifying Nigeria’s technical talent pipeline, positioning the country to become a net exporter of digital expertise.
Brittin elaborated that the initiative seeks to train 125,000 educators and empower a select number of promising Nigerian AI startups with N100 million, in addition to providing $3.5 million in Google Cloud Credits and mentorship from Google engineers.
“We’re providing N2.8 billion to the Data Scientists Network Foundation to support the Minister’s vision for AI development in Nigeria. This funding will promote AI skills and opportunities nationwide,” Brittin concluded.
(Reportafrique)
