FG Unveils Free AI Academy for Nigerian Youths, Civil Servants

The Federal Government has launched a free Artificial Intelligence (AI) Academy to position Nigeria as a leader in the global digital economy.

The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, inaugurated the AI Academy on Thursday in Abuja, highlighting its establishment in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat and Intel Corporation.

Emphasizing the free and online nature of the programme, the minister urged all Nigerians, particularly students, youths, and civil servants, to seize this opportunity to redefine the nation’s future.

Registration Opens

Registration for the free AI Academy began on Thursday, December 19, 2024, and will close on January 30, 2025.

“I encourage you to visit our website at https://scienceandtech.gov.ng/academy and seize this chance to acquire cutting-edge AI skills,” the minister stated.

“The AI Academy is not just a training platform but a transformative opportunity for Nigerians—students, youths, and civil servants—to acquire critical skills in AI. In a world where AI is reshaping industries, solving complex problems, and creating new economic frontiers, it is imperative that Nigeria not only keeps pace but leads the charge,” he added.

Benefits for Trainees

The programme offers participants self-paced courses covering AI fundamentals, ethics, tools, and real-world applications.

Beyond education, participants stand a chance to compete for AI ambassadorial roles, secure internships with Intel Corporation, and gain hands-on global experience.

Chief Nnaji highlighted AI’s crucial role in nation-building, describing it as a transformative tool capable of driving progress in agriculture, healthcare, education, security, and other key sectors.

“By equipping Nigerians with these skills, we are not just preparing individuals for jobs but creating a pipeline of innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders who will shape Nigeria’s technological and economic destiny. Most importantly, AI will help us develop innovative solutions for the unique challenges we face as a nation,” he stated.

What You Should Know

Since President Bola Tinubu’s administration began, there has been a heightened focus on AI, spearheaded by the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani.

Efforts are concentrated on positioning Nigeria as an AI leader in Africa, ensuring the country leverages the benefits of the global AI revolution.

The Communications Ministry recently introduced the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy document, currently under review by MDAs, which will guide government AI efforts.

Additionally, the government has formed the AI Collective, tasked with advancing research, projects, hackathons, and seminars to develop inclusive AI initiatives.

The launch of Nigeria’s Large Language Model (LLM) further underscores these efforts. Trained in five low-resource languages and accented English, the LLM aims to improve language representation in AI datasets, solidifying Nigeria’s leadership in Africa’s AI landscape.

 

FG Unveils Free AI Academy for Nigerian Youths, Civil Servants