Nigeria has secured a N2.8 billion grant to advance artificial intelligence (AI) skills and innovation as part of a funding commitment announced by Google’s President for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Matt Brittin, in Abuja on Thursday, October 31.
This grant aims to support the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy’s mission to strengthen Nigeria’s AI talent pool and digital capabilities, preparing citizens to thrive in an increasingly AI-powered world.
The funding, provided through Google, is part of a larger $5.8 million commitment to Sub-Saharan Africa focused on developing AI skills across different sectors.
“Nigeria stands at a unique crossroads, with the potential for AI to contribute immensely,” Mr Brittin said. “Google sees Nigeria’s digital ambition as a beacon for Africa’s own journey in digital transformation, and we are committed to helping realise this ambition responsibly.”
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Three key initiatives to empower Nigerians
The N2.8 billion grant will support three primary initiatives to train Nigerians in critical AI and data science skills. The DeepTech Ready Upskilling Programme will train 20,000 young Nigerians in AI applications, data science, and machine learning, preparing them for emerging careers in tech. The Experience AI Programme, created in partnership with the Raspberry Pi Foundation, will provide AI education for 125,000 Nigerian learners by equipping 25,000 teachers with AI teaching resources.
The Government AI Campus Programme will train Nigerian civil servants in AI policy to ensure regulatory readiness, aligning the country’s regulatory framework with international AI standards.
Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, lauded the initiative, describing it as “a major step forward” for Nigeria’s AI ambitions.
“This support from Google is a testament to our commitment to positioning Nigeria as a leader in AI innovation. By leveraging Google’s expertise and resources, we are creating opportunities to equip Nigerians with the skills they need to thrive in the global digital economy,” Dr Tijani said.
AI-driven startups tackling local challenges to benefit from grant
In collaboration with Nigeria’s National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), Google has also announced an AI Fund to assist AI-driven startups in Nigeria. The fund will provide 10 Nigerian startups with N100 million each, alongside $3.5 million in Google Cloud credits, technical mentorship, and operational support. The selected companies are developing AI solutions in key sectors, including healthcare, education, and security.
Among the chosen recipients are BetaLife Health, which uses AI to predict demand for blood types to assist hospitals; Farmspeak, which aids livestock farmers with AI-based disease detection tools; and Towntalk, a platform providing security insights tailored to local communities.
“This support is about more than financial resources,”Mr Brittin explained. “We’re committed to ensuring Nigeria has the skills, tools, and technology to lead in the digital economy.”
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Paving the way for Nigeria’s AI-driven future
Google’s partnership bolsters Nigeria’s digital ambitions, complementing the ministry’s broader goals, including the 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) programme, which aims to develop a sustainable AI ecosystem across Nigeria. Earlier this year, the ministry introduced the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy draft to guide AI’s role in economic development, better governance, and social welfare.
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