• Microsoft has announced a $1 Million investment to provide AI skilling for 1 million Nigerians, confirming its commitment to build the skills of the future to power the country’s digital economy
• The investment was announced at the Microsoft AI Tour in Lagos, Nigeria
• The Microsoft AI Tour is a global event series that unites business leaders, technical practitioners, and AI enthusiasts to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence

Africa stands on the brink of a transformative era. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the most powerful disruptive technologies in decades, and its use and implementation in daily ways of working has the power to change the business landscape globally and across Africa.

Nigeria’s AI market is projected to grow by 27.08% annually from 2025 to 2030, contributing significantly to the national economy.

With the right skills and access to digital technologies, AI is poised to add an estimated $15 billion to Nigeria’s GDP by 2030.

In support of Nigeria’s draft National AI Strategy, which aims to equip 70 percent of its young workforce with AI-related skills, Microsoft today announced a $1 Million skilling investment through the Microsoft AI Skilling Initiative, in collaboration with the Nigerian Government, which will provide in-demand AI skills training for 1 million Nigerians.

“At Microsoft, we believe that AI has the potential to transform economies and societies. Our commitment to enhancing AI skills in Nigeria is a testament to our dedication to empowering individuals and organisations to achieve more. By investing in digital skills training and collaborating with the Nigerian government, we aim to create a future-ready workforce that can drive innovation and economic growth in the country,” says Ola Williams, managing director, Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana.

This comprehensive strategic initiative to enhance AI skills in Nigeria is a significant investment that showcases Microsoft’s commitment to advancing digital skills and AI capabilities in Nigeria.

The investment will support various skilling programmes, including digital, AI, and cybersecurity skills training for youth and women.

One million Nigerians will receive sought-after skills for employability

The AI Skilling Initiative investment will expand Microsoft’s skilling programmes to reach one million Nigerians by 2026, including business leaders and senior executives in the public sector.

The investment aligns with the Nigerian government’s national priorities to boost economic growth, promote social development and inclusion, drive industrialisation, foster technological advancement, and invest in digital and creative enterprises.

This investment will further leverage increased access to Microsoft’s skilling resources for Nigerian citizens, developers and business leaders, with the goal of expanding AI and cloud adoption in the country.

“The launch of this AI skilling initiative for Nigeria is not just about individual advancement, but more importantly about uplifting entire communities. We believe that by democratising access to AI education we are creating a more equitable digital future for all,” says Williams.

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.

By the start of 2024, four million Nigerians had interacted with the platform.

Collaboration between Microsoft and Wootlab Foundation has successfully implemented programmes with a keen focus on AI, preparing participants for success in the digital economy and setting the foundation for future expansions.

In partnership with Tech4Dev, Microsoft piloted the Nigeria Women Techsters programme, while Microsoft has continued its partnership with MTN Foundation, a non-profit arm of the leading telecom company in Nigeria, to train SMEs on digital, productivity and cloud skills using the Microsoft Community Training platform and LinkedIn Learning pathways.

Microsoft has also supported the MTN ICT and Business Skills training programme, which impacted over 4 million Nigerians with free tech skilling content.

The AI Tour provides a hands-on experience

The announcement came during the Microsoft AI Tour, a free, in-person one-day event where business leaders, partners, IT professionals, and the developer community come together.

During the AI Tour, attendees learn about the latest advancements in AI technology and how they can be applied to drive innovation and growth in various industries.

The event features presentations and panel discussions with AI experts and industry leaders including senior Microsoft leadership who provide insights into the future of AI and its impact on business and society.

Each stop on the tour also highlights local customer and partner success stories that demonstrate how AI is being used to solve real-world problems and drive business approaches.

For senior business leaders, this is an incredible opportunity to understand how AI can drive growth and innovation within their organisations, while technical practitioners can gain hands-on experience and learn from experts to stay ahead of rapidly evolving AI trends. AI enthusiasts with an interest in the latest AI technologies and their applications are also welcome at the event.

“Harnessing the transformative power of artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic vision, but a tangible reality for organisations seeking to achieve exponential growth and optimisation. Microsoft believes that understanding the impact of AI on business goes beyond mere business acumen. Leaders need to be adept at launching, supporting, and evaluating AI initiatives in alignment with strategic business objectives. The Microsoft AI Tour is an exciting opportunity for business leaders, technical practitioners, and AI enthusiasts to come together and explore the phenomenal potential of this transformative technology,” says Lillian Barnard, president, Microsoft Africa.

By fostering innovation, driving economic growth, and enhancing digital skills, Microsoft continues to be a trusted partner in Nigeria’s journey towards a technologically advanced and inclusive society.

Together, Microsoft and its partners, including the Nigerian Government, are shaping the future of AI in Nigeria, unlocking limitless possibilities and creating a brighter tomorrow for all.

This is part of a strategic move by the OHCSF to prepare the public sector workforce for the digital era of the Civil Service.

Through this partnership, Microsoft is helping lay a foundation for digital transformation in Nigeria, providing government employees with in-demand digital skills for the 21st-century workplace and empowering them to contribute towards the digitisation of important public services.

In 2023, the OHCSF, supported by the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, implemented an Enterprise Content Management Solution (ECMS) to automate all its work processes in line with the federal government’s e-governance drive.

Recognising that the digital readiness of civil servants is a key driver of the success and sustainability of the ECMS, the Foundation partnered with Microsoft to develop a digital upskilling programme for civil servants.

This programme will equip participating civil servants with essential digital skills, fostering a workforce that is not only digitally competent but also capable of driving continued innovation within the Civil Service. The official commencement of the digital upskilling programme was marked by a Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony at the Federal Secretariat, OHCSF, in Abuja.

The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation’s support for the digitalisation of the Nigerian Civil Service is just one facet of its collaboration with the OHCSF.

Other projects supported by the Foundation include the development of an e-learning platform for the Civil Service, the introduction of a robust performance management system, and a culture change initiative aimed at nurturing the right values in civil servants.

Additionally, as part of its ongoing commitment to building the capacity of the government workforce, the Foundation recently brokered a public-private sector partnership that provided 8-week internships to civil servants across various private sector organisations as part of the 2023 Leadership Enhancement and Development Programme (LEAD-P), a ten-month training programme designed to build the capacity of Nigeria’s future public sector leaders.

The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation is committed to driving and supporting impactful initiatives that contribute to the growth and efficiency of the Nigerian public sector for the benefit of all Nigerians.

The SID is set up to drive overall innovation in the State including deep technology, creative talents, startups, business innovations etc.

The function which was held at Professor Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Center, Awka, featured the signing of a memorandum understanding with Anambra State Government, Microsoft and Wootlab Foundation to train 20,000 youths on Digital Skills.

Performing the function, Governor Soludo stressed that knowledge and skills are enduring forms of power.

He pointed out that the power of knowledge and skills transcends space and time and is not constrained by any boundaries because it follows an individual anywhere he or she goes.

“The demand for knowledge and skills is global. The certificate you possess doesn’t really matter to the world. They are more interested in your mental capacity and your manual dexterity. This is the game-changing moment” Governor Soludo further pointed out

“The desire to succeed and the desire to add value are the first requirements for success. Your knowledge and abilities will support you in achieving this.

“Being a Governor or President is temporary power, and after your tenure, the world continues. However, when you have knowledge and skills, you have power that lasts a lifetime.

“Those who seek knowledge and skills have a place in the future. We are continuing today with our plan to retake control of our state and put it back on the right course”, he emphasized.

“To the 0.01% of our population who are criminals cannot define who we are. This is the message we sending to them. The 99% of ndi (people of) Anambra are renowned for their entrepreneurship, diligence, fortitude, and inventiveness.

“The future starts today! Although, the past few days have been quite busy, I must thank you all for coming, especially our students and youth. I see the brand-new Anambra of our dream when I look into your faces” he added.

The Governor appreciated his Special Adviser on Innovation and Business Incubation, Ms Chinwe Okoli, for organizing the programme, as well as Microsoft and Wootlab Foundation for supporting Anambra.

“I think that this alliance will serve as the cornerstone of our future.

“The transition of Anambra from commerce; a largely informal to a formal economy, particularly in the area of digital skills, has started” Governor Soludo stated.

The Governor spoke about other things including annual training of 10,000 youths on digital skills, cascaded to primary and secondary schools, universities, Churches, and communities; access to high speed internet, expressing his belief that launching of the Solution Innovation District would bring the world to Anambra and allow them to export their skills to the rest of the world.

Cross section of attendees at the event:

On his part, the Commissioner for Youth, Mr. Patrick Aghamba, recalled that Governor Soludo had launched the one youth, two skills programme in October 2022 as a pilot phase of his agenda and reported that the programme was progressing well.

The Commissioner emphasized that the opportunities that lie in digital skills are overwhelming, maintained that the task of youth empowerment is a huge task and called on all stakeholders to participate in the programme.

He expressed satisfaction that Anambra State is not falling behind in terms of digital literacy, adding that the goal is to provide more quality jobs.

Earlier in her opening remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Innovation and Business Incubation, Ms Chinwe Okoli welcomed Microsoft and Wootlab foundation as official partners of the State Government and thanked Governor Soludo for launching the Solution Innovation District.

“This journey aims to unleash the Anambra people’s creativity and is consistent with the Governor’s goal of making Anambra State a livable and prosperous smart megacity.

“The Solution Innovation District was established in Anambra State to foster and promote skill, innovation, including digital skills. It will be a community of entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, and clever artisans who will all work together to find solutions to issues in Anambra, Nigeria, and around the world”.

According to the Special Adviser, the SID components include digital skills, business incubation and SME innovations. The end result is to produce thousands of millionaires each year.

She also mentioned SMEs acceleration from Onitsha to Awka to Nnewi, will help small business owners leverage on technology and reach more markets, make more money, hire more people, and create jobs.

The Representative of the Microsoft Country Manager for Nigeria and Ghana, Olatomiwa Williams the Chief Executive Officer of Wootlab Foundation, Chioma Okoro described the initiative as a move in the right direction asserting that the fourth industrial revolution has already begun.

How to APPLY:

Every Anambra youth is welcome to apply via this link: bit.ly/LEVELUPANAMBRA. Deadline is 4th April, 2023.