In a significant boost to Nigeria’s digital economy, Google has awarded a N2.8 billion grant to support the country’s artificial intelligence drive.
Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, Dr Tijani Bosun, described the grant as timely and stated that it will help the government achieve its renewed hope agenda.
He spoke during a press briefing where the President of Google for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Matt Brittin, announced the grant to support the Nigerian government’s digital economy transformation in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
He said, “This support in particular is timely and extremely important because we all know that we are at a time where, as a nation, we’re extremely fortunate to have a President who has decided to take really difficult decisions.
“These decisions are based on the belief that there are reforms we need to implement as a nation to truly move forward, to truly grow our economy, and to truly provide opportunities for our very youthful population.”
According to the Minister, with this support, we can expect that Nigeria will have a strong local workforce for AI, as it’s a global technology.
“The workforce is required because we have a good set of young people who are passionate about being part of the global economy, but we have to give them the skill set they require to participate in that local economy.
“So, this sort of programme will give us the opportunity to continue to train and empower these young people, placing them in meaningful jobs. That’s why it’s important,” Bosun explained.
Reacting to Google’s planned training for public officials, Dr Tijani said, “I really find this exciting because this will help government officials gain a strong understanding of what artificial intelligence is all about so that we don’t end up just copying policies that may not be suitable for our reality.
“And through this programme, we will be empowering a significant number of public civil servants to ensure they have a good understanding of artificial intelligence.”
The President of Google for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Mr Matt Brittin, added, “AI is transforming industries worldwide, from healthcare to education, agriculture to energy. At Google, we see this potential every day, and we’re committed to using AI responsibly, in ways that benefit society.
“We know that when used ethically and inclusively, AI can drive real, measurable progress. Across the globe, governments are stepping up to create policies that empower their citizens to embrace AI while ensuring its responsible use.”
Highlighting Google’s contributions to the Nigerian economy through AI, he said, “We are transitioning to AI’s impact on Nigerian startups and Google’s support initiatives. Beyond these large-scale projects, we’re also supporting Nigeria’s startup ecosystem, empowering entrepreneurs to leverage AI for real-world challenges.”
According to Brittin, “Since 2018, we’ve supported over 106 startups across 17 African countries, with Nigerian companies like Crop2Cash leading the way, raising over $263 million collectively and creating more than 2,800 jobs.
“Additionally, our Black Founders Fund provides non-dilutive capital, enabling African entrepreneurs to overcome funding challenges and fuel their growth.
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“We’re proud to take this commitment a step further. I’m pleased to announce that Google.org is providing N2.8 billion, or approximately $1.7 million, in funding to the Data Scientists Network Foundation, supporting the Honourable Minister’s vision for AI growth in Nigeria.
“We’re here not only to contribute resources but to ensure that Nigeria has the skills, tools, and technology to lead in the digital economy.
“Through programmes like the AI skilling initiatives, our aim is to help Nigeria’s youth, educators, and policymakers build the knowledge needed for a sustainable AI ecosystem.”
Speaking on the breakdown of the grant, he said, “This funding will be directed toward critical initiatives that advance AI skills and opportunities across the country. Through this grant, we’re supporting the FMCIDE’s 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) programme, focusing on equipping 20,000 young Nigerians with advanced skills in AI and data science.
“The Experience AI programme, developed with the Raspberry Pi Foundation, will train 25,000 educators to inspire and educate 125,000 young learners, introducing them to AI fundamentals,” he explained.
Brittin further stated that Google is also investing in the Government AI Campus Programme, providing training and resources for Nigerian policymakers.
“This programme will help ensure that as AI adoption accelerates, Nigeria’s public sector is well-equipped to navigate this landscape with a focus on responsible governance.
“The AI Fund, created in collaboration with the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), is providing 10 promising Nigerian AI startups with ₦100 million in funding, alongside up to $3.5 million in Google Cloud credits, mentorship from Google engineers, and technical support.
“This support will enable these startups to scale solutions that address local needs in areas like healthcare, energy, and security,” he added.
The Director for West Africa at Google, Mr Olumide Balogun, revealed that artificial intelligence presents a $15 billion opportunity for Nigeria’s GDP growth.
However, he noted that realising this potential requires the right infrastructure, skill development, and talent in place.
“So, there’s an opportunity that AI could add $15 billion to Nigeria’s GDP. But it cannot do that if we don’t have the right foundations in place to leverage this opportunity. And that’s why we’re here today.
“For every dollar invested in technology, Nigeria generates eight dollars for the economy, demonstrating technology’s far-reaching impact on economic opportunity and GDP growth,” he said.
He commended the Minister’s vision and strategy for developing the digital economy through infrastructure penetration, connectivity, digital talents, and artificial intelligence, aligning with Google’s mission.
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