TLDR: Nigeria has launched a comprehensive Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills training program for its civil servants, backed by Google.org. This initiative, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and Apolitical’s Government AI Campus, aims to equip public sector employees with essential AI knowledge and tools to drive digital transformation, enhance productivity, and improve public service delivery across the nation. The program, which commenced with a leadership briefing in Abuja, is part of a broader commitment to foster AI adoption and digital literacy in Nigeria.
Abuja, Nigeria – In a significant stride towards digital transformation, Nigeria has officially commenced an Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills training program tailored for its civil servants, with substantial support from Google.org. The initiative, a collaborative effort between Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and Google, leverages the expertise of Apolitical’s Government AI Campus, a globally recognized platform for advancing AI excellence in government.
The program kicked off with a flagship leadership briefing held in Abuja, targeting senior government officials. It is designed to provide Nigerian public servants with world-class AI training and a rich suite of practical, policy-oriented resources. Participants will gain access to government-specific online training modules covering critical areas such as AI fundamentals, governance, ethics, and leadership. Additionally, the curriculum includes expert-led events, analytical tools, and implementation frameworks, all crafted to enable effective application of AI knowledge within their respective domains.
Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, underscored the pivotal role of AI skills in government, stating, ‘We see Artificial Intelligence as a major driver of productivity across our key sectors.’ He emphasized the government’s commitment to empowering civil servants with AI capabilities to accelerate administrative processes and enhance service delivery to citizens.
Olumide Balogun, Google’s West Africa Director, articulated the company’s motivation for supporting the program. He explained that championing Nigeria’s digital transformation involves investing in the people who shape its future. ‘By working hand-in-hand with public sector leaders and practitioners, we are not only providing technical resources but sharing knowledge that empowers them to deliver better, more efficient government services,’ Balogun stated, highlighting the potential for AI to foster smarter solutions, improved social outcomes, and greater inclusion.
Chris Ferguson, Vice President at Apolitical, reinforced the importance of structured training, calling it the ‘cornerstone for successful AI adoption in government.’ He noted that this initiative is a pioneering effort aimed at equipping Nigerian public servants with the confidence and foresight to lead digital transformation.
Research conducted by Apolitical reveals a pressing need for such initiatives: while 72 percent of government leaders globally are running AI pilots, over half report a lack of a comprehensive strategy for AI adoption. The organization also estimates that every dollar invested in AI has the potential to add more than eight dollars to the economy, underscoring the economic imperative of building AI literacy within the public service.
This program is part of Google’s broader commitment over the past year to advance AI adoption and digital skills in Nigeria. This commitment also includes partnerships to expand internet access, support local AI innovation hubs, and enhance digital education. Globally, Google aims to train one million government workers in AI skills, with Nigeria, Brazil, Kenya, and Ghana being key participating countries.
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The ‘Government AI Campus’ program is poised to significantly enhance the capabilities of Nigerian public servants across various ministries, departments, and agencies, ensuring they are well-prepared to navigate and leverage the opportunities presented by the rapidly evolving technological landscape.
