In a landmark move to position Nigeria as a leader in the global digital economy, the Federal Government has launched a free Artificial Intelligence (AI) Academy.
The initiative, announced by the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, aims to provide Nigerians, particularly students, youths, and civil servants, with cutting-edge AI skills to shape the nation’s future.
The programme, launched in partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat and Intel Corporation, is designed to equip participants with advanced AI knowledge and practical applications to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving digital world.
“The AI Academy is not just a training platform but a transformative opportunity for Nigerians—students, youths, and civil servants—to acquire critical skills in AI,” Chief Nnaji said during the launch in Abuja.
He emphasized the accessibility of the program, which is entirely free and available online. Registration opens on Thursday, December 19, 2024, and closes by January 30, 2025. The Minister urged Nigerians to visit https://scienceandtech.gov.ng/academy and take advantage of this groundbreaking opportunity.
Participants will have access to self-paced courses covering AI fundamentals, ethics, tools, and real-world applications. Additionally, the program offers unique opportunities, including competitions for AI ambassadorial roles and internships with Intel Corporation, providing hands-on global experience. “By equipping Nigerians with these skills, we are not just preparing individuals for jobs but creating a pipeline of innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders who will shape Nigeria’s technological and economic destiny,” the Minister explained.
Chief Nnaji underscored the importance of AI in driving progress across sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and security. He described AI as a transformative tool capable of addressing Nigeria’s unique challenges while fostering development.
“Most importantly, AI will go a long way to help us develop innovative solutions for the unique challenges we face as a nation,” he added.
The launch of the AI Academy is part of broader government efforts under President Bola Tinubu’s administration to harness the benefits of AI.
The Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, led by Dr. Bosun Tijani, has been at the forefront of these initiatives. Recent milestones include the development of Nigeria’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which is under review and expected to guide government AI efforts, and the launch of a Large Language Model trained in five low-resource languages and accented English to improve language representation in AI solutions.
These efforts reflect Nigeria’s commitment to becoming a leader in AI innovation in Africa. The Federal Government is urging Nigerians to embrace the opportunities presented by the AI Academy, emphasizing its potential to redefine the nation’s future in the global digital economy.
