The Nigerian government, in collaboration with Google, has conducted a training program for civil servants to develop artificial intelligence (AI) skills. The initiative aims to harness $1.75 trillion in annual public sector productivity gains from AI by 2033.
Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani emphasized the importance of AI skills in achieving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government target of a $1 trillion economy by 2030. Tijani explained that the government is committed to deepening capacity among civil servants to ensure AI skills play a critical role in key sectors, including education, agriculture, healthcare, and governance.
According to Tijani, the government views AI as a major driver of productivity across these sectors. He noted that the government has been investing resources to support civil servants and the public service, enabling them to utilize AI to accelerate administrative processes and improve service delivery.
Google’s West Africa Director, Olumide Balogun, stated that the company is motivated to support the program as part of its efforts to champion Nigeria’s digital transformation. By working with public sector leaders and practitioners, Google aims to provide technical resources and share knowledge that empowers them to deliver better and more efficient government services.
The training program is expected to equip Nigerian public servants with the capabilities to lead digital transformation with confidence and foresight. Chris Ferguson, Vice President at Apolitical, emphasized the value of upskilling and boosting governance productivity with AI, noting that structured training is the cornerstone for successful AI adoption in government.
The collaboration between the Nigerian government and Google is significant, as it highlights the potential of AI to drive economic growth and improve public services. With the government’s commitment to developing AI skills among civil servants, Nigeria is poised to leverage the benefits of digital transformation and achieve its economic goals. The success of this initiative will depend on the effective implementation of AI solutions and the continued support of stakeholders, including Google and other technology companies.