Google has announced a ₦1.2 billion ($850,000) initiative dedicated to training young Nigerians in artificial intelligence (AI), as part of its broader Africa digital empowerment agenda.
Unveiled in Lagos, the programme is designed to provide hands-on training in AI fundamentals, coding, and practical applications of machine learning. It targets university students, tech enthusiasts, and early-stage startups seeking to integrate AI into their solutions.
Juliet Ehimuan, Google’s former Country Director for West Africa, noted that the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s ambition to become Africa’s leading technology hub. “AI is not just the future — it is the present. If Nigerian youth are empowered with these skills, they can innovate locally and compete globally,” she said.
The training will be offered both online and through physical workshops in collaboration with Nigerian universities and innovation hubs. Google said the move follows its previous digital literacy programmes, which have already trained over six million Africans.
Industry experts hailed the investment as timely, given the surge of AI applications across finance, agriculture, healthcare, and education. However, some analysts urged the government to provide supporting infrastructure, including reliable electricity and affordable internet, for such initiatives to succeed at scale.
With Africa’s youth population projected to double by 2050, the tech giant believes the region’s next billion users will drive AI adoption if properly trained.
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