Nigeria secures ₦2.8B Google grant to advance AI talent development

The Federal Government of Nigeria has secured a ₦2.8 billion grant from Google to fuel artificial intelligence (AI) talent development, aiming to bridge skill gaps and establish Nigeria as an AI innovation leader in Africa. The announcement was made by Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, during a press briefing in Abuja, highlighting Google’s commitment to training Nigerian youth and supporting AI startups to boost job creation and economic resilience nationwide.

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“This partnership with Google is a pivotal step in our mission to position Nigeria as a leader in AI,” Tijani said. “Through Google’s support, we’re empowering Nigerians with essential skills to thrive in the global digital economy. This initiative reflects our commitment to an inclusive, innovative future for all Nigerians.”

The collaboration is part of Google’s broader $5.8 million investment in digital skill development across sub-Saharan Africa and aligns with Nigeria’s “3 Million Technical Talents” (3MTT) program, which targets AI skill development for 20,000 Nigerians over the next four years. Launched on October 13, the 3MTT program focuses on building a strong technical talent pipeline, positioning Nigeria as a net exporter of digital expertise.

Key initiatives funded by the Google grant include:

1. DeepTech Ready Upskilling Programme: Aimed at providing 20,000 Nigerians with advanced skills in Data Science and AI, this training program operates under Nigeria’s 3MTT initiative.
2. Experience AI Programme: Co-developed by Google DeepMind and the Raspberry Pi Foundation, this program will train 25,000 educators to introduce 125,000 young Nigerians (ages 11-14) to AI fundamentals.
3. Apolitical Government AI Campus Programme: A virtual platform offering AI governance and application training for Nigerian public officials. Google will empower 100 senior-level and 1,000 practitioner-level public servants to integrate AI effectively within government roles.
4. N100 Million AI Fund: In collaboration with NCAIR Nigeria, this initiative will provide N10 million each to 10 promising AI startups, with additional support in Google Cloud Credits valued at $3.5 million, mentorship from Google engineers, and technical support from NCAIR.

Google’s commits to AI advancement in Nigeria

Matt Brittin, Google EMEA President, expressed Google’s commitment to AI advancement in Nigeria. “We’re proud to support Nigeria’s AI growth with a ₦2.8 billion fund through the Data Scientists Network Foundation, aligned with the Minister’s vision. This grant will drive AI skills and opportunities across the country,” Brittin said.

The grant will also focus on sectors including healthcare, agriculture, education, and governance, with selected AI startups taking the lead in addressing local challenges and driving sustainable economic growth. Tijani underscored that a robust local AI ecosystem, supported by strategic partnerships, is essential for Nigeria’s development, stating, “The growth we envision for Nigeria requires collaboration beyond government alone. Google’s initiative is a valuable contribution to the economic future we’re building.”

This partnership marks a significant step in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey, advancing AI skills and driving socio-economic progress through technology.

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