FG Reveals Free Artificial Intelligence Academy for Nigerian Youths, Civil Servants, Students
Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, on Thursday in Abuja
FG Reveals Free Artificial Intelligence Academy for Nigerian Youths, Civil Servants, Students
The Federal Government has unveiled a free Artificial Intelligence (AI) Academy to position Nigeria as a leader in the global digital economy.
Megastar learned that this novel feat was launched by Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, on Thursday in Abuja, the initiative is a collaborative effort with the Commonwealth Secretariat and Intel Corporation. The program is designed to empower Nigerians—students, youths, and civil servants—with cutting-edge AI skills, ensuring the nation remains competitive in the AI-driven global landscape.
Registration for the academy opens on December 19, 2024, and closes on January 30, 2025. Chief Nnaji urged Nigerians to register via the Ministry’s website, stating, “The AI Academy is not just a training platform but a transformative opportunity to acquire critical AI skills.”
Opportunities for Trainees
The AI Academy offers:
• Self-paced courses covering AI fundamentals, ethics, tools, and applications.
• Opportunities to compete for ambassadorial roles and internships with Intel Corporation.
• Access to global, hands-on experience in AI-related fields.
Beyond training, Chief Nnaji emphasized the transformative potential of AI in addressing Nigeria’s unique challenges in agriculture, healthcare, education, and security. “This initiative isn’t just about preparing individuals for jobs; it’s about creating innovators and leaders who will shape Nigeria’s technological future,” he added.
This initiative reflects the Tinubu administration’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s technological landscape. Under Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, the government has launched multiple AI-focused initiatives, including:
Nigeria’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, currently under review by MDAs, to serve as a guiding national policy.
The formation of the AI Collective to foster research, innovation, and collaboration through hackathons and seminars.
The launch of a Large Language Model (LLM) designed to train AI in five low-resource languages and accented English, ensuring inclusivity in global AI datasets.
These efforts highlight the administration’s dedication to making Nigeria a leader in AI across Africa. As Chief Nnaji put it, “AI is no longer a distant concept but a transformative tool that can drive progress across sectors.”
The unveiling of the AI Academy adds to President Bola Tinubu’s growing achievements in fostering innovation and positioning Nigeria as a trailblazer in Africa’s AI revolution. Through visionary policies and strategic investments, the administration is ensuring that Nigeria not only participates in but leads, the global AI movement.
