The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy (FMCIDE) has announced a new N2.8 billion grant from Google.org to advance AI talent development in Nigeria.
This funding, part of Google.org’s $5.8 million commitment to support digital skills programs across Sub-Saharan Africa, is allocated to Data Science Nigeria and will support programs aimed at upskilling Nigerian youth and providing critical AI education.
Highlighting the importance of this support, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, stated, “This support from Google is a testament to our commitment to positioning Nigeria as a leader in AI innovation.
“By leveraging Google’s expertise and resources, we are creating opportunities to equip Nigerians with the skills they need to thrive in the global digital economy. This is a major step forward in our journey towards a more inclusive and innovative future for all Nigerians.”
According to the him,the grant will fuel several major AI-driven initiatives in Nigeria:
“DeepTech Ready Upskilling Programme: Designed to equip 20,000 young Nigerians with advanced skills in data science and AI, paving the way for future careers in the rapidly evolving field.
“Experience AI Programme: This initiative will support 25,000 educators with resources to teach AI, ultimately reaching an estimated 125,000 students and inspiring future generations of AI innovators.
“Government AI Campus Programme: A program focused on upskilling policymakers and public servants in AI policymaking, ensuring responsible development and implementation of AI policies across Nigeria.”
The Minister stressed that the announcement builds on FMCIDE’s efforts earlier this year when it hosted the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS) Workshop and released the National AI Intelligence Strategy.
“This strategy aims to leverage AI for economic growth, governance, and the general well-being of Nigerians. Google’s grant bolsters this vision by creating a foundation for Nigeria to lead AI innovation on the African continent,” he said.
He further revealed,”In another milestone, the Ministry and Google announced the beneficiaries of the AI Fund, a joint initiative between the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) and Google. The fund awards each of the ten selected startups ₦100 million in financial support and up to $3.5 million in Google Cloud Credits to scale their solutions. These startups will gain access to Google’s AI tools, expert mentorship, and a global network of industry partners.
“The selected startups include:
BetaLife Health: An AI-driven platform optimizing Africa’s blood supply needs.
“Bunce: A centralized AI-powered platform for customer engagement.
“CDIAL AI: Offers seamless text-to-speech and speech-to-text AI capabilities across underserved regions.
“Farmspeak: Supports livestock farmers with AI-driven disease detection and climate control.
“Lendsqr: Streamlines lending for global lenders and borrowers.
“ProDevs: AI-enabled job-matching platform connecting African tech talent with global opportunities.
“Rana Energy: Provides AI-powered sustainable energy management.
“SaaSPro Health: AI tools for healthcare documentation tailored for Nigerian doctors.
“Towntalk: Uses AI to deliver contextual security insights for African communities.
“Trade Lenda: Improves credit analysis for MSMEs, facilitating financing access.”
Matt Brittin, President of Google for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, emphasized Google’s commitment: “Across Africa, entrepreneurs are harnessing the power of technology, including AI, to address large-scale societal challenges. Google remains committed to supporting these innovators, helping them expand their impact across the continent and beyond. Our work in Africa has always been about unlocking the digital economy’s benefits for more people, and this collaboration continues that mission.”
According to him, a recent report by Public First highlights the economic potential of AI, suggesting it could contribute up to $15 billion to Nigeria’s economy by 2030.
“By equipping local entrepreneurs and innovators with essential tools, resources, and training, this collaboration aims to tap into AI’s potential for Nigeria’s economic future. The initiative also complements Google’s previous N1.2 billion commitment in 2023 to empower 20,000 Nigerians with digital skills.
“Through this partnership, FMCIDE and Google are building a sustainable AI ecosystem that will foster innovation, drive economic growth, and deliver widespread social impact across Nigeria,” he said.
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