Google pledges N3bn to boost Nigeria’s national AI strategy

Google, via its charitable arm Google.org, on Friday pledged N3bn to Nigeria to accelerate the nation’s digital transformation, directing funds toward Artificial-Intelligence training and measures to make its booming online environment safer.

The initiative, announced at a press conference in Lagos, is built around a two-pronged strategy and will funnel resources through five local organisations with significant track records in human development.

These organisations include the FATE Foundation, the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, the African Technology Forum, Junior Achievement Africa, and the CyberSafe Foundation.

One strand focuses on cultivating advanced AI talent; the other on strengthening digital security.

Together, the search engine giant aims to equip Nigeria with both a skilled workforce and a more resilient digital ecosystem, addressing the twin challenges of talent shortages and cyber vulnerability that threaten the country’s ambitious digital agenda.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, commented, “Artificial Intelligence sits at the heart of Nigeria’s desire to raise the level of productivity in our economy as well as our ambition to compete globally in technology and innovation.

“I welcome this important and timely investment from Google and Google.org, which reflects the power of meaningful private-sector partnership in nurturing our talent, strengthening our digital infrastructure, and advancing our national AI priorities.

This collaboration directly supports our drive to operationalise our National AI Strategy and to position Nigerian innovators at the forefront of the global AI revolution.

To develop AI expertise, FATE Foundation, in collaboration with the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, will integrate advanced AI curricula into universities, equipping students and lecturers with cutting-edge knowledge.

Meanwhile, the African Technology Forum will launch an innovation challenge designed to guide developers from learning to creating practical, real-world AI solutions.

The Executive Director of FATE Foundation, Adenike Adeyemi, said, “We are incredibly proud to partner with the African Institute of Management Sciences on the Advanced AI Upskilling Project, with support from Google.org.

“This groundbreaking initiative is a direct response to the urgent need for deep AI competencies in Africa, empowering tertiary institutions, lecturers, and students in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa.

“This strategic support aligns perfectly with FATE Foundation’s mission to foster innovation and sustainable economic growth across the continent, ensuring Africa is fully equipped to lead in the global technological future,” the executive told a press conference.

On the digital safety front, Junior Achievement Africa will expand its Be Internet Awesome curriculum to reach more youths, teaching them safe online practices. The CyberSafe Foundation will focus on improving the cybersecurity posture of public institutions, helping them protect sensitive data and digital infrastructure from cyber threats.

The initiative aligns with Nigeria’s National AI Strategy and the government’s goal of creating one million digital jobs. According to research by Public First, the country is projected to unlock $15bn in economic value from AI by 2030, making the development of both skills and digital safety critical for sustainable growth.

The Director for West Africa at Google, Olumide Balogun, said, “Google has been a foundational partner in Nigeria’s digital journey, and this N3bn commitment is the next chapter in that story.

“This is an investment in people, aimed at empowering them with advanced AI skills and ensuring a safe digital space to operate. We are honoured to continue our collaboration in support of the ministry’s efforts to help build a future where the promise of AI creates opportunity for everyone.”

This announcement builds on Google’s long-standing commitment to Nigeria, including infrastructure investments such as the Equiano subsea cable and successful initiatives like the 2023 Skills Sprint programme, a N1.2bn commitment to Mind the Gap.

The programme trained 20,991 participants, including 5,217 women in AI and tech, and enabled 3,576 participants to move into jobs, internships, or businesses, demonstrating tangible progress in advancing Nigeria’s digital economy.

culled from punch