The Nigerian government, in collaboration with Google, has launched a training program for civil servants to develop artificial intelligence (AI) skills. The initiative aims to capture $1.75 trillion in annual public‑sector productivity gains from AI by 2033.
Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani highlighted the importance of AI expertise for achieving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s target of a $1 trillion economy by 2030. He explained that the government is committed to deepening capacity among civil servants so AI can play a critical role in key sectors such as education, agriculture, healthcare, and governance. According to Tijani, AI is viewed as a major driver of productivity across these areas, and the government has been investing resources to enable civil servants to use AI to accelerate administrative processes and improve service delivery.
Google’s West Africa Director, Olumide Balogun, said the company is motivated to support the program as part of its effort to champion Nigeria’s digital transformation. By working with public‑sector leaders and practitioners, Google aims to provide technical resources and share knowledge that empower officials to deliver better and more efficient government services.
The training 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 that upskilling and boosting governance productivity with AI hinges on structured training, which is the cornerstone of successful AI adoption in government.
This collaboration between the Nigerian government and Google underscores the potential of AI to drive economic growth and improve public services. With a strong commitment to developing AI skills among civil servants, Nigeria is poised to leverage digital transformation to achieve its economic goals. The initiative’s success will depend on effective implementation of AI solutions and continued support from stakeholders, including Google and other technology companies.
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