Meta has partnered with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and Robotics Artificial Intelligence Nigeria (RAIN) to expand access to artificial intelligence skills and support technology innovation in Nigeria.
The initiative, known as AI Academy Nigeria, is being developed through the government’s Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme and the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR).
Meta’s Head of Public Policy for Anglophone West Africa, Sade Dada, announced the partnership in a statement on Monday.
AI Academy Targets Nigerian Talent
Dada said the programme would give developers, entrepreneurs and young professionals opportunities to acquire practical AI skills and turn their knowledge into usable products.
The initiative will combine technical training with startup support and opportunities for innovators to connect with the wider AI ecosystem.
According to Meta, the academy is designed to help participants move beyond learning AI concepts and begin developing functional solutions to real-world problems.
Three Major AI Programmes
AI Academy Nigeria will operate through three main components: AI Skills Development, a Startup Pitchathon and a Developer Bootcamp.
The AI Skills Development programme will be available to members of the 3MTT community across Nigeria.
Participants will receive training in areas including generative AI, application development and the use of Meta’s AI models.
Courses will cover topics such as Building Generative AI Apps with Llama, Prompt Engineering with Llama 2 and 3, and Introducing Multimodal Llama 3.2.
Additional courses will focus on generative AI applications in data analytics and social media marketing, alongside an introductory AI course.
Free AI Courses Available Online
According to Dada, the training courses will be offered free through platforms including Coursera, DeepLearning.AI and DataCamp.
The programme will also reward its strongest participants.
The top 100 performers will be eligible for scholarships toward paid Meta Blueprint certifications and could receive up to $5,000 in advertising credits.
Startups to Compete for Funding
The Startup Pitchathon will target early-stage Nigerian startups using Meta’s AI technologies to address practical problems.
Applications are scheduled to close on August 21, 2026, after which 10 startups will be selected to pitch at GITEX Nigeria on September 3.
Two winning startups will each receive $5,000 in cash funding and $2,000 worth of Meta advertising credits.
The winners will also receive an all-expenses-paid opportunity to represent Nigeria at Meta’s AI Summit in Istanbul, Türkiye, scheduled for November 23 and 24.
Six-Week Developer Bootcamp
RAIN will lead a six-week Developer Bootcamp for a selected group of developers and startups.
The programme will emphasise practical AI development, with participants expected to work on functional and potentially market-ready solutions.
Participants will receive technical support and access to Meta’s network of AI specialists.
Government Says Partnership Will Strengthen Nigeria’s AI Ecosystem
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said the partnership would provide Nigerian developers, entrepreneurs and young professionals with practical skills that could translate into new businesses and technological solutions.
Tijani said the programme would also create opportunities for globally competitive startups and strengthen Nigeria’s position in Africa’s growing digital economy.
He described the initiative as part of the government’s broader effort to develop a strong national AI ecosystem through partnerships between government and the private sector.
RAIN Backs Collaborative Approach
Olushola Ayoola, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of RAIN, said developing Nigeria’s AI capabilities would require sustained cooperation among government, technology companies, training institutions and entrepreneurs.
He said RAIN was pleased to work with Meta, the ministry and 3MTT on a programme designed to combine technical education with practical innovation.
The organisers said AI Academy Nigeria is intended to connect AI skills development with entrepreneurship and real-world application.
With applications for the Startup Pitchathon closing on August 21, prospective participants have been encouraged to review the eligibility requirements and submit their applications before the deadline.
