Nigeria’s national workforce is set to receive a significant upgrade as TeKnowledge joins forces with Microsoft to expand artificial intelligence (AI) training across the country. The collaboration, part of Phase 2 of the Microsoft AI National Skilling Initiative, targets over 10,000 participants, including students, recent graduates, developers, women, and business leaders, aiming to create a digitally skilled workforce ready for global competition.
Olugbolahan Olusanya, TeKnowledge’s territory director for Africa, described the initiative as “a significant moment for Nigeria’s digital future.” He emphasized that AI is no longer a concept of the future but a current opportunity. “By training 10,000 participants and connecting them to employers, we are creating direct pathways from learning to livelihood while strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to compete in a global AI-powered economy,” Olusanya said.
Participants in the program have already seen tangible outcomes, with several learners securing immediate roles and others entering structured job-placement pathways. Hackathons and hands-on projects allowed trainees to apply AI solutions in real-world scenarios, demonstrating the practical value of advanced AI systems within regulated industries. Olusanya highlighted that the initiative is about scale, depth, and measurable impact, preparing Nigerians for the demands of a global AI economy.
Olatomiwa Williams, Microsoft Middle East and Africa’s chief growth and AI officer, stressed that Nigeria has an extraordinary chance to co-create in the global AI economy. She noted, “By deepening AI skills and diffusing adoption throughout the economy, Nigeria and the African continent stand to benefit from innovation that is globally relevant and locally generated.” Williams highlighted that with Nigeria’s population of over 200 million and one of the youngest workforces in the world, practical AI skills development is a strategic economic lever.
TeKnowledge CEO Aileen Allkins reinforced the importance of inclusive AI adoption, particularly for women in technology. “Closing the gender gap in AI is not just a diversity issue, it is an economic one,” Allkins said, noting that empowering women in tech leads to measurable GDP growth. The partnership aims to make AI skills accessible to all segments of society, embedding AI capability into Nigeria’s workforce to drive employability, innovation, and long-term economic competitiveness.
source: Leadership