Microsoft has announced a significant investment of $1 million to equip one million Nigerians with Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills over the next two years.
This announcement was made by the Managing Director, Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana, Ola Williams, during the Microsoft AI Tour, which was held in Lagos.
According to her, this initiative aims to position Nigeria as a leading AI hub in Africa and drive economic growth and digital transformation in the country. She said,
“At Microsoft, we believe that AI has the potential to transform economies and societies. Our commitment to enhancing AI skills in Nigeria is a testament to our dedication to empowering individuals and organizations to achieve more.
“This is a strategic investment to ensure that Nigerians have access to the critical skills needed not just to use AI, but to develop cutting-edge solutions and build AI-driven businesses that provide sustainable livelihoods
“By investing in digital skills training and collaborating with the Nigerian government, we aim to create a future-ready workforce that can drive innovation and economic growth in the country,
“This comprehensive strategic initiative to enhance AI skills in Nigeria is a significant investment that showcases Microsoft’s commitment to advancing digital skills and AI capabilities in Nigeria.
“The investment will support various skilling programs, including digital, AI, and cybersecurity skills training for youth and women. One million Nigerians will receive sought-after skills for employability
“The AI Skilling Initiative investment will expand Microsoft’s skilling programs to reach one million Nigerians by 2026, including business leaders and senior executives in the public sector. The investment aligns with the Nigerian government’s national priorities to boost economic growth, promote social development and inclusion, drive industrialization, foster technological advancement, and invest in digital and creative enterprises.”
She further revealed that the investment will focus on providing digital, AI, and cybersecurity training to youth, women, business leaders, and public sector executives.
Microsoft’s AI Skilling program will also be used to deliver the training, which will be made available to individuals in rural areas through partnerships with local organizations.
The initiative is aligned with Nigeria’s draft National AI Strategy, which aims to equip 70% of the country’s young workforce with AI-related skills and Microsoft’s investment is expected to contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economy, with the AI market projected to grow by 27.08% annually from 2025 to 2030, contributing an estimated $15 billion to the country’s GDP by 2030.
This investment is part of Microsoft’s broader commitment to advancing digital skills and AI capabilities in Nigeria. The company has already made significant investments in skills development in Nigeria, including a partnership with the Government of Nigeria to upskill Nigerians via the 3MTT platform, which has reached four million Nigerians as of 2024.
