Google Partners with Nigerian Government to Launch AI Skills Training for Public Servants

Google's philanthropic arm, Google.org, has officially unveiled a major new skills training initiative for Nigerian public servants, in a high-profile partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

The program, known as the "Apolitical Government Artificial Intelligence (AI) Campus," is designed to equip the nation's civil service with the critical skills needed to harness the power of AI for improved governance and public service delivery.

The launch, announced in Abuja, marks a significant step in the government's push to integrate advanced technology into its operations, aligning with its broader goal of building a $1 trillion digital economy.

A New Campus for a New Era of Governance
The "Government AI Campus" is a global initiative supported by Google.org and implemented by Apolitical, a global learning platform for government. The partnership in Nigeria will provide a comprehensive and practical set of resources tailored specifically for public servants.

According to the announcement, the training will be delivered in a phased approach:

Senior Leaders: A high-level briefing for senior decision-makers to champion the strategic importance of AI adoption.

Middle Management: Training focused on the strategic application of AI in daily government processes.

All Civil Servants: Broad access to online courses covering AI fundamentals, practical tools, and ethical considerations.

The curriculum is set to cover everything from the basics of AI and machine learning to the complex challenges of ethical implementation, data privacy, and AI leadership.

"AI Must Become Native to Our Civil Service"
Speaking on the initiative, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, emphasized the critical role of AI in boosting national productivity.

"We see Artificial Intelligence as a major driver of productivity across our key sectors," Dr. Tijani said. "We have been putting resources into ensuring that we can support our civil servants... in a manner that AI can become something that is native to them, to accelerate how we administer our processes and deliver better services to our people."

Olumide Balogun, Google's West Africa Director, reinforced this, stating, "Championing Nigeria's digital transformation means investing in the people who shape its future. By working hand-in-hand with public sector leaders, we are sharing knowledge that empowers them to deliver better, more efficient government services."

The initiative is part of a broader commitment by Google to support AI adoption in Nigeria, which includes previous grants for AI talent development and research. This new program ensures that the government itself is not left behind in the AI revolution, but is instead positioned to lead it.