The Federal Government has launched a free Artificial Intelligence (AI) Academy aimed at positioning Nigeria as a leader in the global digital economy. Inaugurated by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, the program is a collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat and Intel Corporation. It offers Nigerian youths, students, and civil servants a transformative opportunity to acquire cutting-edge AI skills.
Registration for the AI Academy began on December 19, 2024, and will close on January 30, 2025. The Minister encouraged all Nigerians to take advantage of this online, free course to build their proficiency in AI. According to Nnaji, the program not only imparts knowledge on AI fundamentals, ethics, and real-world applications but also opens doors to internships and ambassadorial roles with Intel Corporation, providing participants with global experience.
The AI Academy is designed to equip participants with essential AI skills, empowering them to become innovators and problem-solvers who will contribute to Nigeria’s technological and economic future. Nnaji emphasized that AI’s role in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, education, and security is crucial for driving national development. By providing these skills, the initiative aims to foster a generation of leaders who will tackle Nigeria’s unique challenges using AI.
Nnaji described AI as a transformative tool that is already reshaping industries and solving complex problems worldwide. He emphasized that the program’s objective is to create a skilled workforce prepared for the future and to ensure that Nigeria remains at the forefront of the global AI revolution. The program also seeks to cultivate a new wave of AI professionals who can develop solutions tailored to Nigeria’s needs.
This initiative aligns with the broader focus on AI under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, with the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, led by Dr. Bosun Tijani, playing a pivotal role in positioning Nigeria as an AI leader in Africa. Efforts include the development of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and the launch of the country’s Large Language Model (LLM), which will be trained in low-resource languages to ensure stronger language representation in AI systems.
