Microsoft invests $1m to train one million Nigerians in AI Skills

By Chinenye Anuforo

Tech giant Microsoft has announced a $1 million investment approximately N1.6 billion over two years to equip one million Nigerians with Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills.

Ola Williams, Microsoft’s Country Manager for Nigeria, made the announcement on Wednesday during the launch of the Microsoft AI Tour in Lagos.

“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,” Williams said.

She emphasized that the initiative aims to position Nigeria as a key player in the global AI ecosystem by equipping individuals with the expertise to harness AI for innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic competitiveness.

“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. 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,” Williams stated.

This comprehensive strategic initiative to enhance AI skills in Nigeria represents a significant investment, showcasing Microsoft’s commitment to advancing digital skills and AI capabilities in the country. The investment will support various skilling programs, including digital, AI, and cybersecurity skills training for youth and women.

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. This 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. It will further leverage increased access to Microsoft’s skilling resources for Nigerian citizens, developers, and business leaders, with the goal of expanding AI and cloud adoption in the country.

“The launch of this AI skilling initiative for Nigeria is not just about individual advancement, but more importantly about uplifting entire communities. We believe that by democratizing access to AI education we are creating a more equitable digital future for all,” Williams noted.

Microsoft began its investment in skills development in Nigeria in 2021 in partnership with the Nigerian government through the 3MTT platform. By early 2024, four million Nigerians had interacted with the platform. Collaborations with the Wootlab Foundation have focused on AI programs, preparing participants for success in the digital economy.

In partnership with Tech4Dev, Microsoft piloted the Nigeria Women Techsters program. The company has also continued its partnership with the MTN Foundation to train SMEs on digital, productivity, and cloud skills using the Microsoft Community Training platform and LinkedIn Learning pathways. Microsoft has also supported the MTN ICT and Business Skills training program, which impacted over four million Nigerians with free tech skilling content.

The announcement coincided with the Microsoft AI Tour, a free, in-person event for business leaders, partners, IT professionals, and developers to learn about the latest AI advancements and their applications. The tour features presentations and panel discussions with AI experts and industry leaders, including senior Microsoft leadership, who provide insights into the future of AI. Each tour stop highlights local success stories demonstrating how AI is being used to solve real-world problems.

“Harnessing the transformative power of artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic vision, but a tangible reality for organizations seeking to achieve exponential growth and optimization. Microsoft believes that understanding the impact of AI on business goes beyond mere business acumen. Leaders need to be adept at launching, supporting, and evaluating AI initiatives in alignment with strategic business objectives. The Microsoft AI Tour is an exciting opportunity for business leaders, technical practitioners, and AI enthusiasts to come together and explore the phenomenal potential of this transformative technology,” said Lillian Barnard, President, Microsoft Africa.