Nigeria’s Federal Government and Google announced advancements in their strategic digital partnership, initiated in 2024, to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) development, digital skills training, and technological innovation.
The collaboration, formalized during President Bola Tinubu’s August 2024 visit to Google’s headquarters in California, includes a $50 million investment to train 25,000 Nigerians in AI and cloud computing by 2026. The partnership aligns with Nigeria’s Digital Economy Policy, aiming to create 3 million tech jobs and boost GDP by 10% through digital transformation.
The initiative focuses on three pillars: AI innovation, digital inclusion, and infrastructure. Google’s AI Skilling Programme, launched in Lagos, has enrolled 10,000 youths in courses on machine learning and data analytics, with plans to expand to Kano and Port Harcourt. The partnership also supports Nigeria’s National AI Strategy, unveiled in 2024, which targets $15 billion in AI-driven economic growth by 2030. Google is collaborating with Nigerian universities, like the University of Ibadan, to establish AI research hubs, fostering local solutions in agriculture, healthcare, and fintech.
Infrastructure enhancements include Google’s subsea cable, Equiano, which has increased internet speeds by 20% in Nigeria since 2023. The company is also deploying 1,000 free Wi-Fi hotspots in rural areas to bridge the digital divide, where 60% of Nigeria’s 220 million people lack reliable internet. Challenges include regulatory hurdles, with Nigeria’s data protection compliance costing tech firms $200 million annually, and cybersecurity risks, with 2,500 data breaches reported in 2024. The partnership has drawn praise for its potential to position Nigeria as Africa’s tech hub, though stakeholders urge faster implementation to meet the 2026 job creation target.