Microsoft and the Nigerian Government have announced that over 350,000 Nigerians have now been trained in artificial intelligence skills under the AI National Skills Initiative, which is designed to equip the workforce for a digital economy.
The General Manager of Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana, Abideen Yusuf, told journalists at a news conference on Tuesday that Nigeria was determined to cultivate talents capable of driving innovation and economic growth.
He explained that the initiative builds on a $1m investment announced by Microsoft in February to provide AI skilling for one million Nigerians, reaffirming the company’s commitment to developing the workforce of the future.
According to him, the investment was introduced at the Microsoft AI Tour in Lagos, a global series that brings together business leaders, technical practitioners, and AI enthusiasts to explore AI’s transformative potential.
The General Manager noted that AI is reshaping every sector and warned that countries that act swiftly on skills will be best positioned to benefit.
“Nigeria cannot afford to wait. We must equip people now, at scale and with intent,” he told reporters, stressing the importance of timely investment in human capital to seize the opportunities offered by AI.
The programme, implemented in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Data Science Nigeria, and Lagos Business School, aims to prepare individuals and organisations for the digital economy.
Since its launch, AINSI has delivered AI training to over four million Nigerians, with the second phase targeting 1 million citizens over three years.
Additionally, Microsoft AI Skills Week engaged more than 235,000 participants through workshops, strategy sessions, and an Agentic AI hackathon, in partnership with VISA, TeKnowledge, UNICEF, Data Science Nigeria, and Lagos Business School.
The hackathon showcased innovative AI applications in document verification, risk assessment, and fraud detection, demonstrating the practical impact of AI skills in fintech and other sectors.
“True digital transformation happens when the government, educators, developers, and communities move forward together. By building capacity for evidence-driven governance and responsible innovation, we are laying the foundation for a globally competitive workforce.”
Looking ahead, Microsoft and the Nigerian government plan to continue expanding AI and cybersecurity training, strengthening developer pipelines, and broadening access to AI education to ensure Nigeria’s young population is prepared for the demands of the digital economy.
“Nigeria is on track to capture 43 per cent of Africa’s projected $136bn AI-driven productivity gains by 2030. By equipping leaders, developers, and tech users, we’re building a future-ready workforce and maximising the potential of AI across the nation,” Yusuf added.
\GIK/APA