By Nancy Okojie,
The Nigerian Federal Government, in partnership with Google.org and Apolitical, has officially launched the “Government AI Campus,” a comprehensive training initiative designed to equip the nation’s public service workforce with essential Artificial Intelligence skills.
The landmark programme, unveiled in Abuja, is aimed at accelerating the integration of AI into government operations to boost productivity, improve service delivery, and align with President Bola Tinubu’s ambitious plan to achieve a $1 trillion economy.
The Rationale: Making AI ‘Native’ to Government
The initiative is anchored by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. Speaking at the launch, Minister Dr. Bosun Tijani emphasized the critical need for an AI-skilled public service, noting that AI is a major driver of productivity across key sectors.
“We have been putting resources into ensuring that we can support our civil servants and our public service in a manner that AI can become something that is native to them,” said Dr. Tijani. The goal is to shorten the time spent on administrative processes and deliver better outcomes for citizens in areas like healthcare and education.
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Google’s Director for West Africa, Olumide Balogun, reinforced this commitment, stating that championing Nigeria’s digital transformation means investing in the people who shape its future. He added that AI-enabled governance can create smarter solutions and greater inclusion across communities.
Structured Training and Global Collaboration
The training, delivered through the Apolitical Government AI Campus, is structured to reach public servants at all levels through a phased approach:
Senior Decision Makers: Training focused on understanding the importance of AI adoption and strategic vision.
Middle-Level Executives: Focusing on how to strategically apply AI tools to daily government processes.
General Civil Servants: Training focused on the practical use of AI tools in their day-to-day duties.
Participants will gain access to practical online courses, expert-led sessions, and global peer learning opportunities. The curriculum will cover everything from AI fundamentals to strategic leadership and the ethical implementation of AI in the public sector.
Chris Ferguson, Vice President at Apolitical, described the project as a pioneering effort, stressing that structured training is the “cornerstone for successful AI adoption in government.”
A Wider Digital Ecosystem Push
This AI skills training program is part of Google’s broader commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s digital capacity. Earlier in 2024, Google committed a significant ₦2.8 billion grant to boost AI talent development across the country, aiming to train thousands of Nigerians in data science and AI concepts.
The Government AI Campus initiative directly addresses research indicating that while many government leaders are running AI pilot projects, a lack of a comprehensive strategy and necessary skills remains a key barrier to widespread, successful AI adoption. The partnership seeks to bridge this gap, ensuring Nigeria is positioned at the forefront of AI innovation in Africa.
