The milestone builds on Microsoft’s long-standing collaboration with the Federal Government, which has provided digital skills training to more than four million Nigerians since 2021. The initiative reflects Nigeria’s growing commitment to inclusive, technology-driven economic growth and preparing its workforce for a fast-evolving digital economy.
Speaking on the achievement, Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana General Manager, Abideen Yusuf, said Nigeria must act with urgency as artificial intelligence reshapes industries worldwide. He stressed that countries investing early and deliberately in AI skills will gain a competitive edge, noting that large-scale and timely training is essential to ensure Nigerians are not left behind in the global AI race.
Echoing this position, Lagos Business School Dean, Olayinka David-West, described AI education as critical to Nigeria’s future competitiveness. She said equipping leaders and citizens with AI capabilities would drive innovation, inclusive growth, and long-term national transformation, adding that digital skills are no longer optional in today’s economy.
The second phase of the AINSI programme, launched in January, aims to reach one million Nigerians within three years, addressing the digital skills gap among graduates and professionals. Over the past year, the initiative has also trained 99 public sector leaders, including lawmakers and senior officials from 58 government agencies, strengthening ethical AI leadership and laying the foundation for a globally competitive Nigerian workforce.
source: The Guardian