Microsoft on Wednesday announced a one million dollars investment to equip one million Nigerians with Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills.
The Managing Director, Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana, Ms Ola Williams, said at a Microsoft AI Tour media briefing in Lagos that the AI skill training would reach one million Nigerians by 2026.
Williams said that the investment was part of Microsoft’s commitment to advancing digital skills and AI capabilities in Nigeria.
She said that at Microsoft, it was believed that AI had the potential to transform the economy and societies.
According to her, Microsoft’s commitment to enhancing AI skills in Nigeria is a testament to its dedication to empower individuals and organisations to achieve more.
“Nigeria and Africa stand on the brink of a transformative era.
”AI is one of the most powerful disruptive technologies in decades, and its use and implementation in daily working has the power to change the business landscape globally and across Africa.
“Nigeria’s AI market is projected to grow by 27.08 per cent annually from 2025 to 2030, contributing significantly to the national economy,” she said.
Williams said that with the right skills and access to digital technologies, AI could add an estimated $15 billion to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product by 2030.
“In support of Nigeria’s draft National AI Strategy, which aims to equip 70 per cent of its young workforce with AI-related skills, Microsoft announced a one million dollars skills investment through the Microsoft AI Skilling Initiative.
”This initiative is in collaboration with the Nigerian Government, which will provide in-demand AI skills training for one million Nigerians,” she said.
Williams said the investment aligned with the Nigerian Government’s national priorities to boost economic growth, promote social development and inclusion.
According to her, the initiative will drive industrialisation, foster technological advancement, and invest in digital and creative enterprises.
She, however emphasised that the initiative would be open to those in rural areas, and would leverage on its partners to achieve it.
Lillian Barnard, President, Microsoft Africa, said the Microsoft AI Tour was an exciting opportunity for business leaders, technical practitioners, and AI enthusiasts to come together and explore its potential.
Barnard said that harnessing the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence was no longer a futuristic vision, but a tangible reality for organisations seeking to achieve exponential growth and optimisation.
She said that Microsoft began its investment in skills development in Nigeria in 2021 in partnership with the Government of Nigeria to upskill Nigerians via the 3MTT platform.
According to her, by the start of 2024, four million Nigerians have interacted with the platform.
Barnard said the company had also collaborated with local organisations, including Wootlab Foundation and Tech4Dev, to implement AI-focused programmes and train SMEs on digital skills.
“Microsoft’s commitment to Nigeria’s digital future is part of its mission to empower every person and every organisation on the planet to achieve more,” she said.
