Nigeria is taking important steps to improve knowledge about Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the country. The government plans to train 25,000 teachers, who will then educate 125,000 young people about AI, which is a rapidly growing field. This initiative is crucial because if Nigeria does not improve its understanding of AI, it may miss out on opportunities to become a significant player in this important technology sector.
To support this training program, Google is providing a generous grant of ₦2.8 billion (about $7 million) to an organization called Data Science Nigeria. This funding will help the Nigerian Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy as it works on various projects aimed at enhancing the skills of young people in the country.
In addition to training the teachers, the grant will also finance advanced training in data science and AI for 20,000 young Nigerians. These individuals will be chosen from a larger program called the 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) initiative, which aims to develop technical skills among the youth.
With Nigeria’s population having a median age of around 18 years, the country is focusing on its young people to take advantage of the growing AI industry, which is predicted to contribute $15 billion to Nigeria’s economy by the year 2030. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, emphasized that AI is already present in our lives and presents a unique opportunity for Nigeria to rethink and improve various processes. However, he stressed that building a strong local ecosystem is essential for making the most of this opportunity.
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According to Nigeria’s draft National AI Strategy, the country aims to equip 70 percent of its young workforce, aged between 16 and 35, with skills related to AI. This effort is intended to help reduce unemployment, which was reported at 5 percent in the third quarter of 2023, with only a small portion of jobs coming from formal sectors.
The strategy highlights that having a skilled workforce in AI is vital for a successful technology ecosystem. To achieve this, Nigeria needs a comprehensive approach that includes educating young talent, training the existing workforce, and attracting both local and international experts. However, many universities in Nigeria face financial challenges that prevent them from hiring professors with specialized knowledge in AI, which has created a significant skills gap.
Despite having over 260 universities (including federal, state, and private institutions), these schools often struggle to keep up with the fast-changing technology industry and frequently offer outdated educational content. A report by GSMA, titled “AI for Africa: Use cases delivering impact,” pointed out that the shortage of qualified AI educators is a major problem in both Nigeria and Kenya. It noted that academic institutions often lack the funds to recruit skilled professors, which affects the quality of the courses they offer. While universities may provide AI-related courses, they often do not align with the needs of the industry, and students have limited chances for practical learning experiences.
To bridge this gap, Nigeria plans to cultivate AI talent starting from secondary schools, with the hope that universities will adapt their programs accordingly. Tijani explained that the initiative focuses on both young students and their teachers. He believes it is crucial to ensure that the education provided to young people prepares them for future job opportunities. However, this can only happen if their teachers also understand how to use these new technologies effectively, which is why training for educators is so important.
