Key Points

• Microsoft expands AI skills training across Nigeria.

• AI skills training targets students, developers, public workers.

• Microsoft expands AI skills training with government partners.

Microsoft is expanding its digital and AI skills programs in Nigeria as demand for tech talent grows across the economy. This shows that the company is betting on Nigeria as Africa’s most populous country.

The U.S. tech giant said that hundreds of thousands of Nigerians are already involved through training programs for students, developers, and people in the public sector. This puts the country in a better position to play a bigger role in the global digital economy.

Microsoft’s Director for Government Affairs in West Africa, Nonye Ujam, spoke at a media roundtable in Lagos on Tuesday. He said that the expansion shows Nigeria’s commitment to building a workforce that is ready for the future with digital and AI skills.

Ujam said that around 350,000 people have taken part in Microsoft’s specialised student programs. Of those, 63,000 finished structured learning pathways and 43,000 earned certifications that are recognised around the world.

She said that Microsoft plans to teach an extra 350,000 Nigerians about artificial intelligence, which she called a big step forward for the company’s National Skills Initiative.

Microsoft expands AI skills training across the country

Ujam said that the project is being carried out with the help of the Federal Government, Data Science Nigeria, and Lagos Business School. This shows that the private sector and public institutions can work together.

She said that the programs help Microsoft reach its bigger goal of teaching five million Nigerians new skills and giving developers the skills they need to work with new technologies.

Ujam said, “Microsoft is preparing developers for the future with targeted programs that create a strong pipeline of technical talent.”

AI skills training is aimed at developers and the public sector

She said that programs like Developers in Government and the Three Million Technical Talent program, which are run by the government, have helped public-sector developers learn new skills.

She said that about 645 people have been trained in analytics and AI integration, and another 1,000 developers have learnt more about DevOps, machine learning, and data science.

Ujam went on to say, “These efforts are making AI more common in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.”

Microsoft wants to teach more people how to use AI

Abideen Yusuf, Microsoft’s Country General Manager for Nigeria and Ghana, said that Nigeria’s AI adoption rate is now 8.7 percent, which is a little lower than the average for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 10 percent.

Yusuf said that AI could add $1.5 trillion to Africa’s economy by 2030. He stressed that Nigeria’s young population, which has a median age of 18, needs to be ready to compete.

Yusuf said, “Nigeria can’t wait.” “The countries that move the fastest on skills will be in charge.”